tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19515865807463704682017-09-25T10:31:45.249-06:00crEATeElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-89986468146113043242015-10-05T14:33:00.001-06:002015-10-05T18:32:46.029-06:00New Blog, New Blog Post<p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kq-EeCpvJAk/VhLelDRjjTI/AAAAAAAACW4/cYoaP77OJeQ/s1600-h/IMG_7918%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7918" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7918" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vMbsSa14J6s/VhLel1QhVSI/AAAAAAAACXA/p00NwrDsaNc/IMG_7918_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480"></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Hey there!&nbsp; I’ve just hit publish on a new post over at my new blog, <a href="http://www.creatingloveliness.com/" target="_blank">Creating Loveliness</a>.&nbsp; It isn’t earth shattering but there <em>are </em>pictures of chickens in a jungle.&nbsp; Hmmm.&nbsp; Go on over to <a href="http://www.creatingloveliness.com/" target="_blank">check it out</a>.&nbsp; </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-32173798273758958902015-09-18T22:21:00.003-06:002015-09-18T22:21:31.392-06:00I'm Alive...and if anyone is out there I just wanted to let you know I’m starting a new blog that I will share with you soon.&nbsp; While I remain obsessed with making my home beautiful, I felt that this current blog had painted me into a corner (so to speak) and I struggled to come up with posts that felt like me on a regular basis.&nbsp; I mean, I’m busy like we all are and have a full time job being a mom and wife and I don’t have time to be working on projects around the house all the time.&nbsp; Sometimes I want to go on tangents about being a mom or the crazy things my kids did the other day or the garden I’m always working on (when it is not snowing!).&nbsp; I’m hopeful this new blog will let me do that a little better.<br />&nbsp; <br /> <br />Thanks for reading!&nbsp; Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-67431470406952029332014-08-20T12:30:00.001-06:002014-08-20T12:30:08.063-06:00Our New (old) Front Door<p>In the midst of a few other projects I had going on, this one got done first! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zviIGPKahSQ/U_To-3DDyBI/AAAAAAAACP4/edVa7itXhsc/s1600-h/IMG_8550%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8550" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8550" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a_ipjlF1vNk/U_To__8jqsI/AAAAAAAACP8/WrQP1mqZ8No/IMG_8550_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>I, like so many out there in blogland, am loving bold front doors that add a pop of color to your entry.&nbsp; I have had this in the back of my mind for months, but finally took the plunge with a less “in your face” color that I think will transition through the seasons well.&nbsp; I loved this front door on <a href="http://emilyaclark.com/2014/05/our-new-front-door.html" target="_blank">Emily A. Clark’s</a> house, </p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://emilyaclark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/green-front-door.jpg"></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://emilyaclark.com/2014/05/our-new-front-door.html" target="_blank">source)</a></p> <p>but since we don’t have a brick façade I wanted something a tad more bright.&nbsp; I started a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/createbyliz/front-door-color/" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a> with all kinds of green door pins to show my husband what it might look like since initially he was a little skeptical.&nbsp; He ended up being pretty neutral about it after seeing some of them which was great progress so I went ahead and painted it when he went to visit his parents last week.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; I had Benjamin Moore’s Avocado color matched in a Behr exterior semi-gloss…with the tiniest bit of black added after I thought it was a little too bright olive-y.&nbsp; </p> <p>After the first coat it looked pretty darn awful.&nbsp; And this next picture is actually after the 2nd coat so it looked slightly better, but still…</p> <p>EEEEK!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mkuNNDRukwM/U_TpAuE5jNI/AAAAAAAACQI/pod4mBgdMt8/s1600-h/IMG_8509%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8509" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8509" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h8Gfz_Gd344/U_TpBXgJgFI/AAAAAAAACQQ/PmuLJdKwfj0/IMG_8509_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>And I was really questioning my color choice since it looked positively neon in the sunlight!!!</p> <p>But after 5 coats, done over the course of 3 days, it now looks like this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zk0JV3MS1nE/U_TpCC0PAvI/AAAAAAAACQY/guypemZst7o/s1600-h/IMG_8551%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8551" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8551" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4q6I0NF-6is/U_TpDBfFk2I/AAAAAAAACQg/BhqatG9AdyA/IMG_8551_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>I think our lion is liking his green surroundings…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Me3XfXiIUJ8/U_TpD5SXygI/AAAAAAAACQo/9q1sY28MqN4/s1600-h/IMG_8537%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8537" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8537" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-srN4p6AYyCE/U_TpEWWPmAI/AAAAAAAACQw/BEbehgpc-Lw/IMG_8537_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>though as always he doesn’t show it.&nbsp; .&nbsp; </p> <p>I found it is difficult to make the green not look flat in pictures.&nbsp; It looks much more vibrant in person, but oh well!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AhOXkJGU8Pk/U_TpFpdvpsI/AAAAAAAACQ4/kWdeMccCRCE/s1600-h/IMG_8543%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8543" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8543" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KvztkDDOnss/U_TpGkeTjgI/AAAAAAAACRA/bF9KNgUlCrQ/IMG_8543_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>And here is a comparison--</p> <p>Before (this spring when all the plants were new):</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-npMRxDgMPkA/U_TpH75ZyYI/AAAAAAAACRI/Q1mioFaij3s/s1600-h/IMG_8325%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8325" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8325" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LydCM6tVr0M/U_TpJI3IIOI/AAAAAAAACRQ/TIdR0D52IsA/IMG_8325_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>And now:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G9NJPYjJjBI/U_TpKuTeDcI/AAAAAAAACRY/xM-lL5bQ-qM/s1600-h/IMG_8548%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8548" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8548" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xxu6dw8WrEY/U_TpLZpnzoI/AAAAAAAACRg/4iMpCcE-r8g/IMG_8548_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I think it looks a lot more welcoming and a lot less stark now!&nbsp; What a difference a little paint and some lush plants make!</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-91582018337882024972014-07-30T11:34:00.001-06:002014-07-30T11:34:08.875-06:00Summer Days<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pxZNOx1gQQE/U9ksTdR57rI/AAAAAAAACNw/dNs6hrAgLoY/s1600-h/IMG_8453%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8453" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8453" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VQEUvZyD_ps/U9ksUMCzFYI/AAAAAAAACN4/DNFZDdaLhF0/IMG_8453_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="592"></a></p> <p>I’ve taken quite a break from blogging this summer, and for no really good reason other than that it is summer and it’s busy (but aren’t we all??&nbsp; not a very good excuse for me I’m afraid) and it is glorious outside in the summer here in the polar north.&nbsp; We have to get our vitamin D somehow!!&nbsp; We have actually been having quite a mild summer here which we have been loving, though I hope hope HOPE it doesn’t mean the polar vortex is awaiting us again right around the corner.&nbsp; Yikes.&nbsp; </p> <p>Actually, I think the main reason I haven’t been blogging is because I have done basically nothing inside our house these past couple of months.&nbsp; Nothing blog-worthy, anyway.&nbsp; And I have been even worse about taking pictures of anything that might have been in the slightest bit blogworthy.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; I have been outside enjoying and gardening.&nbsp; I’ll just touch upon a few things…</p> <p>We are in the middle of doing the <a href="http://whole30.com/" target="_blank">Whole 30</a>!&nbsp; What is that?&nbsp; <a href="http://whole30.com/" target="_blank">This site</a> can tell you all about it, but basically you go off dairy, all grains, legumes (including peanuts and soy), sugar in any form (including honey and all those sneaky things that get added to foods that end in -ose), alcohol, and MSG/carrageenan/sulfites for 30 days and then slowly re-introduce them into your diet.&nbsp; During re-introduction you try to notice if any foods seem to bother you to determine if you could be sensitive to those.&nbsp; We are on day 17 today and I haven’t noticed much benefit yet (I started this hoping for more energy as it always seems to be low) and my husband says he felt great before we started this diet and feels great still, but it is still early so the jury is out.&nbsp; I am missing my dairy and carbs for sure!&nbsp; It definitely has opened my eyes to all the things they add to even the most basic of foods!&nbsp; On a side note, we are all tired of eggs for breakfast.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; (My husband bought one of those 15 dozen boxes of eggs last week and we have already plowed through almost half of them!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wa13Q68mI-A/U9ksVNBNk-I/AAAAAAAACOA/yIdpYA4LjpI/s1600-h/IMG_8479%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8479" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8479" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dQQ6whYHvRk/U9ksV9SC_3I/AAAAAAAACOI/7VMF0wOBMC4/IMG_8479_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I don’t think I shared this last year, but we will be starting our 2nd year of homeschooling so I am working on turning our music room into a “study” for the coming school year.&nbsp; Last year I used part of the playroom in the basement for schooling, but this year I thought it might be nice to be on the main level because we don’t have carpeting up here and I would feel less nervous about glue, paint, play-doh, and other preschool/school mess that comes with the territory.&nbsp; The music room looked kind of like this:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b1oGOuNzzAM/UilSKZB2BLI/AAAAAAAABPY/3BieNPkisLk/s1600-h/IMG_6873%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6873" border="0" alt="IMG_6873" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-459elBnySbU/UilSKy0Sy-I/AAAAAAAABPg/9CoiBF-UV70/IMG_6873_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="653" height="443"></a></p> <p align="left">And now as a study it looks like a hot mess:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e6KF-8snYUI/U9ksXbeh9-I/AAAAAAAACOQ/G6lqI4DDlmw/s1600-h/IMG_8478%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8478" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8478" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xmifNBKyhXQ/U9ksYZJ3i7I/AAAAAAAACOY/uA0Vv_6mty4/IMG_8478_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>But never fear, stay tuned for more progress on that!!&nbsp; </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>And our garden(s), ahhhh…they are doing great for the most part!!&nbsp; We have been enjoying a lot of fresh veggies around here.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vDgp2Pq51XY/U9ksZtJOx0I/AAAAAAAACOg/NjX7pKcQIBA/s1600-h/IMG_8391%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8391" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8391" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qZwTI7FM7rQ/U9ksaRry7HI/AAAAAAAACOo/0A60nBNGCu8/IMG_8391_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p align="center">Pea thief : )</p> <p align="left">Can you spy the three melons?</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aw_xiiE3l-M/U9ksbySbWCI/AAAAAAAACOw/NMtk9O9gohc/s1600-h/IMG_8406%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8406" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8406" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xXfelgiJgRc/U9ksdMKz9wI/AAAAAAAACO4/NHpCVgeoJ4A/IMG_8406_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Everything is growing wildly, including the marigolds I planted along the main path in the garden.&nbsp; I intended them to be more like a hedge, but they obviously are more free-spirited souls who intend to take over the path instead!&nbsp; </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EDVOd1gOLeY/U9ksecYT3PI/AAAAAAAACPA/pf_DBJDYLdQ/s1600-h/IMG_8402%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8402" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8402" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Av3IwZI_j64/U9ksfdq_DDI/AAAAAAAACPI/HDs2ebDcf0E/IMG_8402_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>And what do you think of my rebel pink-haired corn?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E9NnAgTuXds/U9ksgkaxUPI/AAAAAAAACPQ/By3HLLekdWI/s1600-h/IMG_8408%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8408" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8408" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PO1CdYZ-jwk/U9ksheWM9MI/AAAAAAAACPU/6LJ-PeUI5HE/IMG_8408_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>Broccoli and beans haven’t done as well, but that doesn’t mean Butterscotch doesn’t enjoy resting in their shade</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l0TF2_FKFB0/U9ksiq7e9dI/AAAAAAAACPc/S3D2BuJ-y3M/s1600-h/IMG_8467%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8467" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8467" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xVZK84HZCMg/U9ksjWXp-QI/AAAAAAAACPo/XZEadjznBU8/IMG_8467_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I have another post in the works all about the state of the gardens and how that garden arch is working for us so far.&nbsp; Hopefully I’ll get that up soon!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I hope you’re all enjoying your summer days!!</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-31640697181886081212014-06-13T21:08:00.001-06:002014-06-13T21:08:56.852-06:00Gardens in June<p>The weather has been absolutely beautiful around here for the past week or so…perfect for getting all my plants into the ground and lots of outdoor chores done!&nbsp; Yay!&nbsp; I took a few pictures of the gardens, mostly for my own reference for next year and to see the difference from one month to another.&nbsp; </p> <p>Here is one of the front gardens…a new garden I made early this spring, and finally finished planting about a week ago. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kdmh3rV4WsI/U5u8T5yV3jI/AAAAAAAACKM/_uI_nO4TYzI/s1600-h/IMG_8325%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8325" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8325" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ETWISBUbOTA/U5u8U9EwhkI/AAAAAAAACKU/LQrW5088rh0/IMG_8325_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>The plants are all quite tiny since it is not an established bed, so hopefully they will fill in this year and be much larger for next year!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Syc2yV-_Mbs/U5u8WxQ-3fI/AAAAAAAACKc/ihWuZYLOmiE/s1600-h/IMG_8321%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8321" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8321" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nds2QfkVoPY/U5u8XzQuevI/AAAAAAAACKk/ddE6YYqQfyU/IMG_8321_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I also planted window boxes that will hopefully also fill out in a few weeks.&nbsp; They look rather sparse now but they are much better than when I planted them a couple weeks ago so there is hope for them! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--7nn42-3WbU/U5u8ZKZMoDI/AAAAAAAACKs/vhS6t5GufE8/s1600-h/IMG_8332%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8332" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8332" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PNeznV1Afa8/U5u8Z0H-vZI/AAAAAAAACK0/IJa3YF7QAXo/IMG_8332_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I used asparagus fern that I had overwintered and divided this past winter and then some geraniums that I grew from cuttings and also some kale I started from seed.&nbsp; I have no idea how the kale will actually look with everything else, but it is fun to try something different!&nbsp; I can always just pull them out if it looks awful.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; I bought a couple 4 packs of coleus and a 6 pack of wave petunias to put in there too so I did spend something but overall I am happy to have such inexpensive window boxes.&nbsp; </p> <p>Here is another front garden…this was new last fall.&nbsp; I dug it&nbsp; when my husband was out of town on a hunting trip and I was SO sore at the end of it.&nbsp; I’m not quite sure why I feel that is an appropriate time to jump into a big new project but I always do…it must be some crazy coping mechanism.&nbsp; : )&nbsp;&nbsp; Earlier in the spring there were tulips blooming here but now the garden is in what I am calling its “purple phase”.&nbsp; I didn’t exactly plan it this way, but all the blooms right now are shades of blue and purple and I am really liking it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2LMac6ajGB4/U5u8bB5A6mI/AAAAAAAACK4/QCDXpolQLc0/s1600-h/IMG_8331%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8331" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8331" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tHDGXGv1KPU/U5u8cSKbtYI/AAAAAAAACLE/LSscmVXm_60/IMG_8331_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5h2hHBIsMYg/U5u8dutFk2I/AAAAAAAACLM/53iM_Rtgjao/s1600-h/IMG_8330%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8330" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8330" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xaQJr2QCkdg/U5u8e6K4IQI/AAAAAAAACLU/0b4OaIvKzwQ/IMG_8330_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I am hoping the vanilla marigolds I planted in front of the bare legs of the baptisia (blue flowers near center) will grow quickly so it won’t look quite so top-heavy!</p> <p>Heading in the backyard to the garden I affectionately refer to as the weed garden:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vuocOlZfKy8/U5u8gukJwXI/AAAAAAAACLc/USTZZ0nmR8k/s1600-h/IMG_8334%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8334" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8334" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--fdsaHiO--c/U5u8hrenWaI/AAAAAAAACLk/ANPSqEcHCYs/IMG_8334_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>The iris are blooming right now which is just lovely!&nbsp; I call it the weed garden because this is one of the gardens that was here when we bought the place last year and it is filled with grass and lots of weeds as well.&nbsp; Next year I plan to either get rid of this garden altogether and make a much larger bed extending from the garden shed to the garden, or re-work it so I can get rid of the weeds.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cU1O1xmfRCM/U5u8ijaKdPI/AAAAAAAACLs/qZFElaRxcEY/s1600-h/IMG_8336%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8336" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8336" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KVCF38uWPRE/U5u8jSG6tvI/AAAAAAAACL0/D_vumfwrLdc/IMG_8336_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>Moving on to the shade garden:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5bqtXA0JHho/U5u8lB7-8hI/AAAAAAAACL8/Q-tibYQJSLs/s1600-h/IMG_8335%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8335" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8335" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k6ZBwhA27fs/U5u8mDRTV1I/AAAAAAAACMA/TyBEzZqcXzc/IMG_8335_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>It is home to mostly hostas with a few other shade-loving perennials, though I added some impatiens so it should be more colorful in a few weeks.&nbsp; The chickens have decided they like to scratch around in this garden so I have to be careful to protect any new young plants I have planted or they will die an untimely death (the plants, not the chickens—we are very fond of Mrs. Bertha and friends!).&nbsp; </p> <p>Last but not least, the veggie garden.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XvB2DZURd9U/U5u8nqWdS8I/AAAAAAAACMM/g3UC9uFuIQ8/s1600-h/IMG_8338%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8338" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8338" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9ApHCJ9VttA/U5u8otPJbWI/AAAAAAAACMU/4fXBC963YvE/IMG_8338_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>We have come up with an elaborate fencing system to keep the deer out, which has been working for deer but less so for rabbits, so I feel a bit like Mr. McGregor&nbsp; whenever I find another cabbage plant has been eaten off.&nbsp; Grrrr!!&nbsp; </p> <p>The arch is for cucumbers, though this is the first year I am attempting to grow them vertically so we’ll see how it goes!&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-biSgbu1BQV8/U5u8po8B8YI/AAAAAAAACMc/n_HyQ5Ct9Oo/s1600-h/IMG_8341%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8341" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8341" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n8sI2V27vqk/U5u8qhy9c5I/AAAAAAAACMk/rXZNy3-rkXQ/IMG_8341_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>Swiss chard is coming along nicely, as are the radishes.&nbsp; The beans are getting bigger too!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Cb3-ZDA1CU/U5u8sN-O7sI/AAAAAAAACMs/Ay29P5xtX-8/s1600-h/IMG_8350%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8350" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8350" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qolts6S7ahc/U5u8tMNxGqI/AAAAAAAACM0/fV7PkE_6AOM/IMG_8350_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vUAh82ijZew/U5u8uCRq1pI/AAAAAAAACM8/wN1lkxITsyo/s1600-h/IMG_8340%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8340" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8340" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nv5sYr3_Aog/U5u8vHuSTPI/AAAAAAAACNE/iUhnq4RlpNk/IMG_8340_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>The other side of the garden:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ibYomF_jUqQ/U5u8wg8npEI/AAAAAAAACNM/tJvinouQRig/s1600-h/IMG_8345%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8345" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8345" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p09umw0wpLQ/U5u8xvoSeyI/AAAAAAAACNU/zEHZCFLQmCU/IMG_8345_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I’m excited to see what it will all look like next month!</p> <p>I am joining Cari over at Clan Donalson for the <a href="http://clan-donaldson.com/2014/06/june-garden-a-linkup/" target="_blank">June garden link-up</a>…so fun to look at everyone’s gardens and see the progress from month to month!&nbsp; </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-14941180333037487972014-06-02T20:44:00.001-06:002014-06-10T19:35:16.800-06:00How to get spray paint off skin<p>With the warmer weather we’ve been having it is finally time to break out the spray paint!&nbsp; I’ve been so busy with landscaping/gardening related projects that I only finally got around to doing a spray paint project a few days ago, and in the process accidentally stumbled upon a really great way to get spray paint off skin!&nbsp; My spray paint bottle/nozzle was spluttering and finally it just started oozing black paint out all over my hand, under my fingernails, and up my arm.&nbsp; Ugh!&nbsp; It was especially bad because it was the enamel kind, which seems to be extra fumey and sticks really well to—anything!&nbsp; I didn’t take a picture because…I had no idea I was going to figure this out and I don’t randomly take pictures of paint on my hands.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; I really didn’t want to go to all the events we had planned for last weekend with a hand/arm that looks like some horrible disease has taken its toll, so I went in and proceeded to scrub and scrub and even tried the hand sanitizer trick I heard about to no avail.&nbsp; It just wasn’t coming off! </p> <p>I ended up taking a shower to freshen up from the hot day outside, using a little scrub recipe I occasionally use to exfoliate my face.&nbsp; On a whim I started rubbing it on my hand and lo and behold, the paint started to come off!!&nbsp; Within moments of scrubbing it was SO much better and almost all off, even under my fingernails!&nbsp; I was really excited to not have to explain my awful-looking hand.&nbsp; : )</p> <p>So, want to know how you can erase that spray paint fast??&nbsp; It only takes two ingredients, and I bet most people have them in their kitchen.&nbsp; </p> <p>Take a couple tablespoons of coffee grounds (used or unused), add a tablespoon or so of olive oil (any old one will do!);</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FVBEaV4shYE/U402iHkCLjI/AAAAAAAACJA/WSc35zF9-jc/s1600-h/IMG_83053.jpg"><img title="IMG_8305" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8305" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aZajGoy0614/U402jJGOxxI/AAAAAAAACJI/uvCfUSAPJ-k/IMG_8305_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>mix them together,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SCqpYrV2DBg/U402kOeh4DI/AAAAAAAACJQ/0tbRswKo5Mk/s1600-h/IMG_83173.jpg"><img title="IMG_8317" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8317" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-usLpw9MF8pY/U402k-YUFUI/AAAAAAAACJY/4ibfD-vVnus/IMG_8317_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>and voila!&nbsp; Magic spray-paint remover!!&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wWNGoezuyuI/U402l-QBytI/AAAAAAAACJg/DxG_tfBfL_M/s1600-h/IMG_83153.jpg"><img title="IMG_8315" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8315" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qm3wGs2Z8yA/U402m_6FXZI/AAAAAAAACJo/UzzXs9bCXk4/IMG_8315_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>Easy easy!&nbsp; Just use like any scrub with warm water, and follow up with some soap to remove the olive oil grease if that’s not your thing.&nbsp; Hope my accidental discovery helps someone!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zZESrgbzAyA/U402n3U2GaI/AAAAAAAACJw/lwFPefv4_LU/s1600-h/spraypaintremoval3.jpg"><img title="spraypaintremoval" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="spraypaintremoval" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_IP-WkMEB3o/U402o-KWgSI/AAAAAAAACJ4/LcrNTT0IdlU/spraypaintremoval_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="480"></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Linking up with Remodelaholic’s <a href="www.remodelaholic.com">Anonymous Party</a>, Tatertots and Jello’s <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com">Link Party Palooza</a>, The DIY Showoff’s <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/2014/02/23/diy-party-5/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FpuSM+%28DIY+Show+Off%29">That DIY Party</a>, Home Coming’s <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-diyers-51.html">The DIYers</a>,&nbsp; Upcycled Treasures’ <a href="http://upcycledtreasures.com/2014/06/the-makers-link-party-21/" target="_blank">The Makers</a></p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-30438131349584892092014-05-11T21:14:00.001-06:002014-05-12T07:21:52.222-06:00How I save money on gardening—part 2 of a series—sharing plants<p>Starting plants from seed can work great for lots of flowers and vegetables, but today I’m sharing my absolute favorite ways to garden cheaply…plant sharing and taking cuttings!&nbsp; Very easy, nearly free, and you have big plants all that more quickly.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M1hDqOOlLWc/U3A8Vi2rvJI/AAAAAAAACG4/hHNWKR7O1pk/s1600-h/savemoneyongardeningseries%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="savemoneyongardeningseries" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="savemoneyongardeningseries" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7pJQ1fBuqe8/U3A8WlDBuXI/AAAAAAAACHA/8pl5CDBPmwQ/savemoneyongardeningseries_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Plant Sharing</strong></p> <p>This encompasses a lot of territory.&nbsp; Know someone who gardens?&nbsp; Maybe your mom, friend, neighbor, or someone on the Craigslist free section?&nbsp; More often than not they will be cleaning out their gardens this spring and have a little extra of something…let them know you would give their extra plants a good home (and perhaps offer them a plant in return if you have some extras too).&nbsp; You’d be amazed how often just the mention that you want to have a garden or are interested in gardening will encourage a flurry of perennial donations to your flowerbed.&nbsp; Gardeners tend to be very generous and willing to share their hobby with others!&nbsp; Many perennial plants do best if they are divided every few years, so it can actually be a win-win situation for both you and the other gardener.&nbsp; If you don’t have a yard, you can plant many perennials in containers as if they were annuals.&nbsp; </p> <p>One word of warning though…sometimes weeds or weed roots can be in the dirt you get with the plants, so be careful to remove those if you find them.&nbsp; Also, some plants can be a bit aggressive in taking over an area, so ask the person you’re getting them from if that is a problem in their garden.&nbsp; Once my mom got a plant from a friend which reseeded very vigorously and literally took over her entire garden…I can remember weeding and weeding as a teenager to try to get rid of it (she eventually did, it just took a little while).&nbsp; </p> <p>I have found plants with free signs on them on the side of the street, plants at garage sales (this is a great way to get plants!!&nbsp; There are some awesome garage/plant sales out there!), plants from my husband’s coworkers, and of course from family and friends.&nbsp; It is fun to share plants, and even better when there is a story attached!&nbsp; </p> <p align="center"><strong>Taking Cuttings</strong></p> <p align="left">I used to think that you had to know a lot about plants to get them to grow from a cut stem or branch—I think I had it confused with grafting for some reason????—but I have found out in the last couple of years how fun and easy it can be (for some plants, at least) to take cuttings from a plant you already have, stick it in dirt or water, and let it grow roots to form another plant!&nbsp; </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z9SQIgFE9z4/U3A8YMmsqRI/AAAAAAAACHI/vXxCKrwFwVU/s1600-h/IMG_81023.jpg"><img title="IMG_8102" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8102" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ADGu24MMH_I/U3A8Zd5oETI/AAAAAAAACHQ/x6qkV3IsmnI/IMG_8102_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="left">When we lived in our previous house our next door neighbor was an older lady named Goldie (isn’t that an awesome old lady name?!?) and Goldie has a big bay picture window which looked out on our backyard.&nbsp; I noticed some colorful plants in the window and later found out they were coleus.&nbsp; She told me she just cut them off a big plant that she had outside, stuck the stems in water, and they grew roots!!&nbsp; I started growing them myself after that, and it really is just that simple.&nbsp; I overwintered a King coleus in the house this winter(well, I actually started with two, but one didn’t make it…I don’t always have successes!) and starting in February I began to cut little bits off the plants and put them in water in little egg cups and set them on a window sill. </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EIhmLWB8z0s/U3A8aqhlZ9I/AAAAAAAACHY/RWLdFZvR2Rg/s1600-h/IMG_8181%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8181" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8181" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5_Rj3ZVLC_4/U3A8bi2pPuI/AAAAAAAACHg/YwAm7FPKbBo/IMG_8181_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="left">Lo and behold, this happened!!&nbsp; Little roots started to form!</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8u1YHq4X5O0/U3A8c5jcItI/AAAAAAAACHo/UFz_QXEd1X8/s1600-h/IMG_81003.jpg"><img title="IMG_8100" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8100" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BGBmaQ7p86o/U3A8eAQPG3I/AAAAAAAACHw/rshrGUmi09I/IMG_8100_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="left">As soon as they grew roots I put them in potting soil and repeated the process with new stems from the parent plant.&nbsp; They are growing really well and some of the first cuttings I took are getting pretty big by now!!&nbsp; I gave a few of them away as Mother’s Day presents this past weekend.&nbsp; </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mwz4fw6PIPo/U3A8fWD2CNI/AAAAAAAACH4/cdCaUIqVQyU/s1600-h/IMG_8163%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8163" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8163" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AwIZ9GQhKS4/U3A8gprbmdI/AAAAAAAACIA/zx3FOiJ13xQ/IMG_8163_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="left">Another plant that is super easy to take cuttings from is sweet potato vine.&nbsp; I’m not talking about the kind you eat, but the ornamental kind that trails out of pots and hanging baskets.&nbsp; My overwintered vines also died this winter but my sister was able to overwinter some so I got some cuttings from her.&nbsp; I do the same things with those as I do with coleus…cut off a stem with a couple small leaves on it, stick it in water, and let it grow roots!&nbsp; It is really SO easy…the hardest thing is remembering to make sure there is water in the cup or vase or whatever you are rooting it in.&nbsp; I lost a couple because I forgot to check.&nbsp; : (</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8-XcE5TGZf8/U3A8h025lUI/AAAAAAAACII/dYM5A0TlDbY/s1600-h/IMG_8172%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8172" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8172" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T1Q8Ws690Ho/U3A8iqi8EHI/AAAAAAAACIQ/Iq-DCAh8RRs/IMG_8172_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="left">I also have had some luck with cutting and rooting annual geraniums.&nbsp; I always overwinter two or three of them in the house so I just cut off some stems with small leaves on them and instead of sticking them in water, I dip them in rooting hormone (this helps them to root faster—you can buy it at gardening centers or places like Menards or Home Depot) and put the stems in moist potting soil and let them grow.&nbsp; I don’t have as much success with those as I do with coleus or sweet potato but I usually manage to grow a few that make it.&nbsp; </p> <p align="left">This year I became more adventurous and took stem cuttings from my sister’s boxwood shrub.&nbsp; I have them all potted up in little mini-makeshift greenhouses (made from sticks and bags) and I am hoping I get a few that actually grow roots as I would love to start a hedge, but don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars for those bushes from a nursery.&nbsp; I’ll let you know how they do!&nbsp; So far so good.&nbsp; </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cj6i-usW_xM/U3A8jbqnslI/AAAAAAAACIY/Qx4a1Vxb1hQ/s1600-h/IMG_8178%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8178" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8178" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Og4OMjAnDoo/U3A8kOOEA4I/AAAAAAAACIg/vfXYt_dZspU/IMG_8178_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="left">If you’re interested in learning more about taking cuttings here are some good resources:</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/garden-care/starting-flowers-from-cutting/" target="_blank">Better Homes and Gardens</a></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/greenhouse/how-to-take-geranium-cuttings/332.html" target="_blank">How to take Geranium cuttings (Gardeners’ World)</a></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://deepgreenpermaculture.com/diy-instructions/propagating-herbaceous-plants-from-cuttings/" target="_blank">Propagating Herbaceous Plants from Cuttings</a></p> <p align="left">Needless to say, our sunroom/3 season porch is looking more like a plant halfway house than a proper room these days!&nbsp; </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m4uyFWfV8KU/U3A8laZNslI/AAAAAAAACIo/mN8XNyRKA3g/s1600-h/IMG_8165%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8165" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8165" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EGcc8W696Yc/U3A8mtfQ80I/AAAAAAAACIw/1K_qQbLaFnY/IMG_8165_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>Here in Zone 4 we are SO close to being frost danger free for the spring!!&nbsp; Yay! </p> <p>How is your gardening going?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Linking up with <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-diyers-61.html" target="_blank">The DIYers</a> (Home Coming)</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-55939904049562666822014-05-08T12:41:00.001-06:002014-05-08T12:41:29.219-06:00a quick and easy hall update<p>As you may have noticed, I have not been doing much indoor work (or writing posts, obviously!) for a while now ever since the weather warmed up.&nbsp; But today, while cleaning out the sunroom, I happened upon a frame I had revamped and put chicken wire in a while ago and a hallway refresh was born!</p> <p>We have a little hallway that leads from our kitchen area to our half bath and then on to our laundry room and garage.&nbsp; Here it was, looking sad and forlorn…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BxRjxKH2sIo/U2vPwoeW4xI/AAAAAAAACFo/Y4WLYGEXYv4/s1600-h/IMG_8229%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8229" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8229" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9vyTIq5OIk8/U2vPxQLFRlI/AAAAAAAACFw/8OhwdjgvteA/IMG_8229_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>There is a window in the laundry room that creates the shadows and glare on this wall…it looks really weird in this picture but that is just the light, I promise!&nbsp; The lone calendar may have been practical but it was certainly lacking in the “pretty” department.&nbsp; </p> <p>After playing around with some things that I already had from the rest of the house and hanging the big frame, the hallway now looks like this!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p4gLBQNckNc/U2vPyNLVeAI/AAAAAAAACF4/Etb5y731iSM/s1600-h/IMG_8240%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8240" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8240" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mzd5Uc5IVCo/U2vPy3W7w8I/AAAAAAAACGA/FA0wCnvBHEk/IMG_8240_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>Certainly not a big reveal, but a fun way to bring in a little more personality (and a bit of spring) to this area! </p> <p>We even have famous paintings, behold “Going to the Circus” on top and “Sock in the Water” below (yes, that is exactly what my 3 year old told me it was!!):</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u3gihDJaasQ/U2vPzrkCG9I/AAAAAAAACGI/BSuhTKAyhx4/s1600-h/IMG_8234%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8234" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8234" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QePkRor8er4/U2vP0VBR8MI/AAAAAAAACGQ/W-OXMZmpARM/IMG_8234_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>I love my kids’ art!!!!&nbsp; </p> <p>The best part is that this took me about 15 minutes to put together, and I didn’t have to spend any money on it!</p> <p>Those kinds of projects are rare around here.&nbsp; : )</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9x3nkYbkb2Q/U2vP1P6IzWI/AAAAAAAACGY/IfrQAPNoPXc/s1600-h/IMG_8239%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8239" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8239" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h1o-5DVBUqU/U2vP18pE2vI/AAAAAAAACGg/J55bi8rQvMg/IMG_8239_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>This is from the other side.&nbsp; The canvas is not a child's…it is my feeble attempt to join in on the painting session my kids were having.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; I’m not quite sure what we will use the wire bin for yet, but I’m sure we will find a use.&nbsp; </p> <p>Now I don’t know why I waited so long to do something with this hall!!</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-30169988094787328652014-04-29T15:07:00.001-06:002014-04-29T20:25:28.612-06:00Yard Sale List<p>Oh my, I am SOOOOOOO excited!!&nbsp; This weekend is our local town’s citywide garage sales!!!!&nbsp; The nice spring days have been few and far between this year so there haven’t been very many garage sales yet around here.&nbsp; I am planning to be out bright and early come Thursday morning!!!&nbsp; (So if you live around here, sleep in that day, mmmkay??&nbsp; ; )</p> <p align="center"><img title="IMG_7611" border="0" alt="IMG_7611" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dDRttINWdJ4/UZ7WMLSX-tI/AAAAAAAAAv8/a_0rgMoPhTs/IMG_7611_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="386"></p> <p>To get ready for the garage sale season, I usually make a yard sale list.&nbsp; What is that, you say?&nbsp; </p> <p>It is the list of things I am going to look for more deliberately at garage/yard sales this year (or thrifting, though I do less of that).&nbsp; </p> <p>I started making a list a couple of years ago because I found myself forgetting that I needed such and such a thing or kids pants in this size, etc. and then I passed them by only to be bitten by garage sale regret later!&nbsp; Sometimes I put old stand-by’s on the list--such as painting supplies (I have discovered garage sales are a great place to get new paint rollers and brushes), frames, storage bins, kids crafting supplies, and so on.&nbsp; Mostly, however, I just put things on that I wouldn’t normally scan for or sizes of kids’ clothes so I have a handy reference of what exactly I need.&nbsp; I haven’t in the past, but this year I am going to keep the list on the car dashboard so I can easily access it.&nbsp; </p> <p>To give you even more of an idea, here is a start to my list this year:</p> <p>BIG frames</p> <p>boxy baskets</p> <p>pruning shears</p> <p>chop/miter saw</p> <p>bunk bed</p> <p>chicken nesting boxes</p> <p>chicken waterer</p> <p>new boards</p> <p>white cardstock</p> <p>large white mugs </p> <p>nightstand with shelves and drawer, 26” or taller</p> <p>king sheets in white, gray, or blue</p> <p>air compresser</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>And the list goes on!&nbsp; I have found that it is really helpful to write down the dimensions of things you may be looking for, such as the size of window blinds, cabinets, rugs, etc.&nbsp; It is pretty frustrating to be at a garage sale eyeing an awesome deal and thinking, hmmmm….is that the right size??&nbsp; Will that fit?&nbsp; It is even more frustrating if you buy it and then it doesn’t work out…no returns at garage sales!!&nbsp; </p> <p>I buy most of my kids’ clothes from garage sales and I this year I plan to do that differently too.&nbsp; In the past when I go to a garage sale with clothes in the right sizes, in good condition, and at a good price, I would tend to snatch up anything I thought they would wear.&nbsp; This worked pretty well for boys’ clothes, but I noticed that it didn’t work so well for girl clothes.&nbsp; Boy clothes all seem to mix and match easily, for the most part.&nbsp; But with girl clothes it is a different story…you need to have a plan in mind so the random tops and pants you get look good together.&nbsp; So this year, I am being very specific with my list.&nbsp; I will still stock up on the random play clothes that I find because she is just going to get them dirty and worn out anyway, but for other clothes I am going to be on the lookout for exactly what is on my list, for example—a black cardigan, size 7.&nbsp; If I don’t find it, I don’t find it and I will have to supplement either at a thrift or a regular store.&nbsp; </p> <p>So, do you make lists for garage saling?&nbsp; Maybe you’ve got it together and you have a mental list.&nbsp; : )</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-84956657826654904892014-04-24T19:35:00.001-06:002014-04-24T19:35:55.351-06:00What I’ve been up to lately…<p>Oh wow, the past few weeks seem to have whizzed by SO quickly!&nbsp; I meant to post several times but I have not worked on a single house project since the headboard I finished quite a while ago.&nbsp; Nope, instead I have been focusing on this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UAxbxtRvHe8/U1m7y2j0iyI/AAAAAAAACD8/3FdRJSPALD8/s1600-h/IMG_8141%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8141" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8141" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kdOMUcoOQjQ/U1m7z81z4FI/AAAAAAAACEE/TLJWQkOWPtc/IMG_8141_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>And when the weather permits, this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1S5Vv7qSxTo/U1m707wWr2I/AAAAAAAACEM/DGejL_BJVrk/s1600-h/IMG_8185%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8185" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8185" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0J7RB3vm9Mo/U1m71tHc15I/AAAAAAAACEU/8kwnJ0SDXek/IMG_8185_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p align="center">(new flower bed in front of the house…in progress)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QoLxX6k6kZ0/U1m72wYx2dI/AAAAAAAACEc/156Jumamirg/s1600-h/IMG_8189%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8189" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8189" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FNa7TR2cNuY/U1m73-uwl0I/AAAAAAAACEk/2yEvBq-ZaRs/IMG_8189_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="center">(signs of life!!&nbsp; can’t wait to see those blooms!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DOVC1bsatS0/U1m75rwwhHI/AAAAAAAACEs/6uFGwR7AHus/s1600-h/IMG_8196%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8196" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8196" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qBLxocKA04U/U1m76lhCDxI/AAAAAAAACE0/cIJCJfwMl38/IMG_8196_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="center">(hubby tilled a big veggie garden and I’m super excited to start planting…once we get a fence around it…pesky deer and rabbits!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZkQ-xO5b7GM/U1m7715LcTI/AAAAAAAACE8/iWIvP4oaOaE/s1600-h/IMG_8192%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8192" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8192" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wcTa4JqzLqY/U1m78x6zmSI/AAAAAAAACFE/I8Dxn7cO7-0/IMG_8192_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="center">(I have been working on this particular area for a couple weeks now…it used to be covered with brambles, wild grape vine, and brush…but slowly but surely I have been clearing it.&nbsp; There is more to be done, and I know it doesn’t look like anything, but trust me when I say it is waaaaaay better than it was!!&nbsp; We have ordered three apple trees and a cherry tree to plant here.&nbsp; So excited to start our “orchard”!!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PtpCWFa-On0/U1m793clwiI/AAAAAAAACFM/QdaZhWLRWqk/s1600-h/IMG_8200%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8200" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8200" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Bn4lglfp1Jc/U1m7-ejpMDI/AAAAAAAACFU/qYQdLf-sGU0/IMG_8200_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p align="center">(our kitty Butterscotch…I don’t think I’ve ever talked about her before, but she is such a sweetie!)</p> <p align="center">and…</p> <p align="center">we got chickens!!&nbsp; </p> <p align="center">Sorry, no photo yet (I tried, but it was getting too dark in the coop to get a good one) and we are really enjoying them! </p> <p align="left">So no, I have not dropped off the face of the earth.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; We are just mostly soaking up the great outdoors.&nbsp; I hope to be back posting regularly again now—I have certainly missed it!</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-32085757363349933562014-04-08T05:55:00.001-06:002014-04-08T05:55:29.952-06:00Liebster Award<p>Ah, the Liebster award…it seems to be going around the internet again, and I’m finally playing along!!</p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-02s2DFFob_Y/UzipUXD_u6I/AAAAAAAAAiY/fu4r9JPSWkw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-30+at+7.31.17+PM.png"></p> <p>The Liebster is an award for bloggers with 500 or less followers as a way to get to know each other and build a blogging community. <br>Here are the rules: <ul> <li>Thank the blogger who nominated you.&nbsp; <li>Answer the 11 questions you're given.&nbsp; <li>Nominate 11 other new bloggers with less than 500 followers.&nbsp; <li>Post 11 questions for your nominees to answer.&nbsp; <li>Tag you nominees and leave them a comment on their blog so they know that you nominated them. </li></ul> <p>Talented Ashley, from <a href="http://www.thehonestroom.com/" target="_blank">The Honest Room</a>, nominated me (thank you, thank you!) and posed a few questions I’ll attempt to answer here.</p> <ol> <li><em>How long have you been blogging?&nbsp; </em>I started blogging in 2011, but only really got into posting regularly in the fall/winter of 2013. <li><em>Why did you start blogging? Has it turned out to be what you expected? </em>I discovered the world of DIY/home blogs in 2009 and loved being a spectator then, but as time went on and we had lots of projects going on in our home, I wanted to join the community!&nbsp; I also wanted to journal our home and life for me.&nbsp; As far as expectations--it has taken longer to feel a&nbsp; part of a community than I thought it might, though a lot of that was due to not really commenting on others’ blogs and not joining linky parties (I didn’t even know what a linky party really was about until long after starting the blog).&nbsp; It is really fun to get to know other bloggers! <li><em>What's the story behind your blog name?&nbsp; </em>No real story, I picked it because my initials spelled EAT and and I thought Create would encompass a lot of creative endeavors from home décor to food to family traditions.&nbsp; <li><em>What has been your most popular post?&nbsp; </em>This may surprise anyone who hasn’t seen the stats (and, quite honestly, me), but my absolute most popular post is the one on <a href="http://createdwithlove-elizabeth.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-to-make-old-paneling-look-like.html#.Uz4h8sEo7IU" target="_blank">How to Make Paneling look like Drywall</a>.&nbsp; There must be a lot of people out there with awful paneling!! <li><em>What is your motto or tagline?&nbsp; What is your favorite blog to read and what draws you to them?&nbsp; </em>Hmm.&nbsp; I don’t really have a motto or tagline…I probably should but I think I’ll procrastinate on that a while!&nbsp; My favorite blog????????&nbsp; You mean, I have to pick just ONE???&nbsp; ; )&nbsp; I think my absolute most favorite blog, for years now, is the blog <a href="http://mychildiloveyou.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Child I Love You</a>.&nbsp; It is not a DIY blog but a mother’s blog for and about her children.&nbsp; It is simply beautiful…I get inspired every time I visit there to see my kids as the amazing precious persons they are.&nbsp; As far as DIY blogs go…I really love <a href="http://www.vintagerevivals.com/" target="_blank">Vintage Revivals</a> and <a href="http://www.viewalongtheway.com/" target="_blank">View Along the Way</a>…AAACCCKK!…it is so hard to pick just one or two!&nbsp;&nbsp; Basically I love those two blogs because Mandi and Kelly seem so <em>real </em>and really creative and they are super entertaining to read!&nbsp; But I have many other favorites too.&nbsp; : ) <li><em>What is your decorating style?&nbsp; </em>I know it when I see it, but I couldn’t tell you in a concise way.&nbsp; I once took a Home Goods style quiz and they told me I was New Country with a touch of Classic which sounds more like a music genre than me!&nbsp; I love vintage (but not chippy), earthy tones, crisp white frames, and wood with rich character.&nbsp; <li><em>Gold or silver? </em>Silver, but not a hater of gold! <li><em>Name one of your bucket list items.&nbsp; </em>Grow an intricate boxwood hedge like you see in the English gardens.&nbsp; <li><em>How do you spend your weekends?&nbsp; </em>Wishing I could sleep in!&nbsp; Well, that and taking care of the small people, spending time with the hubby, visiting with friends and family, and working on projects.&nbsp; <li><em>Where do find most of your home decor inspiration? (store, blog, magazine)&nbsp; </em>Definitely blogs…I rarely step foot into any store more fancy than Target (Goodwill is more my speed) as I generally have the kids in tow.&nbsp; I also think a lot of inspiration comes organically from the limitations of our homes, lifestyles, finances, and time.&nbsp; You really have to think outside the box to reach your goal and create the look you’re going for within those constraints, and that can be a really creative state of mind.&nbsp; </li></ol> <p>Thanks so much Ashley for nominating me!!&nbsp; What fun!&nbsp; </p> <p>Well, we don’t want the fun to stop here…so I’m awarding the Liebster Award to these deserving blogs:</p> <p><a href="http://littlehouseoffour.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Little House of Four</a></p> <p><a href="http://littlelovesoflife.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Joie de Vivre</a></p> <p><a href="http://beingsarahmarie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">being Sarah Marie</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.averagebutinspired.com/" target="_blank">Average but Inspired</a></p> <p><a href="http://undercoverdiyer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">undercover DIYer</a></p> <p>(I know it’s not the 11 I’m supposed to nominate but let’s just pretend, shall we?&nbsp; : )</p> <p>Here are my questions (with a few borrowed from Ashley):</p> <p>1.&nbsp; How long have you been blogging?</p> <p>2.&nbsp; How do you balance life and blogging?</p> <p>3.&nbsp; If you could have a dream house, how would it look?&nbsp; </p> <p>4.&nbsp; What is the story behind your blog name?</p> <p>5.&nbsp; What is your favorite season?</p> <p>6.&nbsp; What has been your most popular post?</p> <p>7.&nbsp; What was the first blog that you ever followed?</p> <p>8.&nbsp; Why did you start blogging?&nbsp; </p> <p>9.&nbsp; White or wood trim?</p> <p>10.&nbsp; Have you ever gotten a strange reaction to people finding out that you blog?</p> <p>11.&nbsp; Do you have a celebrity look-alike?&nbsp; </p> <p>Tag!&nbsp; You’re it!!</p> <p>; )</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-14781731940685286442014-04-01T06:21:00.001-06:002014-04-07T20:50:42.732-06:00How I save money on gardening—part 1 of a series—seed starting<p>It is <em>finally</em> sloooooowwly warming up here!&nbsp; We still have lots of snow to melt so it will be a while before we see all of the ground, but I feel like there is some hope for spring to finally come at last!&nbsp; I am eagerly awaiting the time when I can go and scope out the yard and see if any plants are starting to poke up out of the ground.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; Can you tell spring is my favorite season??</p> <p>I’m going to share with you today the first of my favorite ways to save money when you garden.&nbsp; If you’ve ever been to a garden center and picked out some plants (or maybe a shrub or two), you know how quickly they can add up when you get to the checkout.&nbsp; Ouch!&nbsp; Especially if you go somewhere that has higher quality plants…then you are really in for a painful moment at the register!&nbsp; And you may give hubby a heart attack if he happens to be with you!!&nbsp; (Kidding!!)&nbsp; Whether you are planting perennials in the ground or annuals in hanging baskets or vegetables, there are ways to make it cheaper.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J5qySZRPGCU/UzqvIKj-3rI/AAAAAAAACCk/Q4c1mFokObk/s1600-h/savemoneyongardeningseries3.jpg"><img title="savemoneyongardeningseries" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="savemoneyongardeningseries" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K3bFXScm9yA/UzqvJDJBO0I/AAAAAAAACCs/votmXyoQWh4/savemoneyongardeningseries_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Probably the most obvious way to do this is by starting seeds yourself.&nbsp; I try to start as many plants from seed as I can.&nbsp; Some years this works out better than others—for example, in our previous house we didn’t have as much natural sunlight so the plants didn’t always grow very well.&nbsp;&nbsp; Depending on where you live, late winter is the perfect time to start some things ahead of spring.&nbsp; I love to see those little green tops poking up out of the soil—it just makes me happy.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; I know a lot of people start tomato plants ahead of time…but you can definitely start more than just vegetable seeds.&nbsp; I have hollyhocks, marigolds, delphiniums, sweet williams, bells of Ireland, zinnias, and some other annuals and perennials planted in trays right now, and my mom even plants petunia and impatien seeds.&nbsp; A packet of seeds is generally pretty inexpensive depending on the type and where you buy it…most of the ones I got this year were around $2 each, though I do buy them from a seed catalog so it is cheaper than buying them from the store.&nbsp; </p> <p>There are a lots of good resources out there for starting plants from seed; here are a few I found:</p> <p><a href="http://empressofdirt.net/seed-starting-101/" target="_blank">Seed Starting 101</a> from the Empress of Dirt</p> <p><a href="http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/starting-seeds-indoors" target="_blank">Start Seeds Indoors</a> from Organic Gardening</p> <p><a href="http://blog.thekatsgarden.com/?p=3312" target="_blank">Seed Starting for Beginners</a> from The Kat’s Garden</p> <p>And, to make it even more thrifty, you can save seeds from plants you already have (after they flower), dry them, and then plant them the following year!&nbsp; I haven’t been organized enough to do much of that, but I plan to change that this year.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yIK1r63ovIs/UzqvKNzB26I/AAAAAAAACC0/4JHZ9NZIHuU/s1600-h/IMG_80853.jpg"><img title="IMG_8085" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8085" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c5OD7R2KFH8/UzqvKy1oXYI/AAAAAAAACC8/ofj4XPXZpcQ/IMG_8085_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OF0udGQaFGI/UzqvL86mlnI/AAAAAAAACDE/u9uigZVkRIQ/s1600-h/IMG_80863.jpg"><img title="IMG_8086" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8086" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1oHMcpc_Iwg/UzqvMmUPlZI/AAAAAAAACDM/P1t4HQguF-k/IMG_8086_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>The kids are loving seed starting too…we learned about how seeds grow a couple of weeks ago and watched a number of time-lapse youtube videos of seeds sprouting and growing…then I let them plant a few bean seeds in glasses so they could watch the sprouting/rooting/growing process up close and personal.&nbsp; Every day they check to see how their beans are growing—and they <em>are</em> growing—they were pole bean seeds so they are a now a couple feet tall and I need to figure out a support system.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; Fun!!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c90gJN3iNOc/UzqvNACZw7I/AAAAAAAACDU/Xhxh8ozGDAA/s1600-h/IMG_80513.jpg"><img title="IMG_8051" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8051" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rR1LuHe6mho/UzqvNw7sldI/AAAAAAAACDc/CiW-MqGLZkQ/IMG_8051_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>If you look on Pinterest you can find multitudes of ways to start seeds very cheaply…some people use egg shells or empty egg cartons or TP rolls.&nbsp; I don’t have an elaborate system and it seems to work ok for me, though I’m sure the plants could do with a bit more light.&nbsp; </p> <p>A lot of our backyard is currently under a few feet of water or snow, so it will be a while before those seeds/plants will go into the ground, but they certainly make me hopeful for springy weather and green grass again!&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DUI0rGsJXIs/UzqvOw3QXPI/AAAAAAAACDk/CnA2pOEQOQE/s1600-h/IMG_80923.jpg"><img title="IMG_8092" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8092" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zDrx8nn2myg/UzqvPxoiV7I/AAAAAAAACDs/9z7QGgwGHY8/IMG_8092_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Linking up with Remodelaholic’s <a href="www.remodelaholic.com">Anonymous Party</a>, Tatertots and Jello’s <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com">Link Party Palooza</a>, The DIY Showoff’s <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/2014/02/23/diy-party-5/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FpuSM+%28DIY+Show+Off%29">That DIY Party</a>, Home Coming’s <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-diyers-51.html">The DIYers</a>, </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-18545745931573063562014-03-25T06:09:00.000-06:002014-03-25T06:11:10.369-06:00Style SOS<p>So…most of the time when I’m thinking of non-life-essentials my brain is churning with all sorts of ideas for around the house, what will look good with what, paint colors, diy plans, you name it.&nbsp; You know what I am not bursting with ideas for?&nbsp; </p> <p>Clothes/shoes/accessories!!&nbsp; </p> <p align="center"><img src="http://downeastbasics.com/images/products/detail/FEB14_heartsalivescarf_orange49402.2.jpg" width="417" height="657"></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://downeastbasics.com/heartsalivescarf.aspx" target="_blank">source</a>)</p> <p>I don’t know if it is the loooonnng winter or what, but I’m feeling like I have <em>nothing</em> to wear when I look in my drawers/go in the closet.&nbsp; Maybe it’s just because I’ve been wearing the same stuff for 6+ mos, but almost everything I own feels incredibly frumpy when I put it on.&nbsp; Ugh!&nbsp; </p> <p>I’m not naturally talented at putting outfits together, which is not helping in the least.&nbsp; I feel in many ways I need to fill in some basic outfit staples I have been lacking that would make it easier to mix and match.&nbsp; Oh my, I’m a grown-up for goodness sake…I should have this together!&nbsp; A lot of my clothes are garage sale finds that look great at the sale, but when I get them home and try them on, they don’t fit well or don’t go with anything.&nbsp; I like to be thrifty but sometimes that doesn’t work out as well as I would like.&nbsp; </p> <p>I’m always inspired by the outfit posts <a href="http://rosie-ablogformymom.blogspot.com/2014/01/mom-style-winter-edition.html" target="_blank">Rosie</a> and <a href="http://littlelovesoflife.wordpress.com/tag/outfits/" target="_blank">Lisa</a> put together, and the style tips on <a href="http://www.maskcara.com/" target="_blank">Maskara</a>…and I’m looking for more!!&nbsp; If you know of a good guide to building a wardrobe (or have written one yourself!) please let me know in the comments!&nbsp; I would love to find other blogs with outfit posts or style series too.&nbsp; Or, if you know of some great clothing sales going on, let me know too.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; I’m sending out a style SOS! </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-57802352174437371112014-03-20T13:58:00.001-06:002014-03-20T13:58:43.999-06:00My quest for a dirt-proof runner…victory!<p>I’ve been looking for a rug solution for our hard-working back entry/laundry room for a few months now…pretty much since the start of winter and all that mess that wet boots and snowsuits bring.&nbsp; I nearly pulled the trigger on a jute runner from Rugs USA that looked very similar to the big rug in our living room but was woven and not braided—it was on a great sale but I just wasn’t sure if the color would withstand the dirt and also how much it would shed.&nbsp; I just kept on looking, without success.&nbsp; I tried to remedy the situation with a few rugs that I keep for rug emergencies…and to keep in the car for when I haul stuff.&nbsp; It helped, but was certainly lacking on charm.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ghbBOAOydH0/UytIWlK8RgI/AAAAAAAACAk/4bmIXG_hFl4/s1600-h/IMG_8065%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8065" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8065" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cin1eLb7sUs/UytIXUTv0II/AAAAAAAACAs/5WTOOdzNaZE/IMG_8065_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p align="center">(Please ignore the painters’ tape on the wall…procrastinators unite!!)</p> <p>Sometimes it happens though that if you wait long enough, something falls into your lap when you are least expecting.&nbsp; </p> <p>I was at Target today and, as I often do, I look down the home décor area’s aisles to see if there are any of the red sale or clearance stickers waving at me.&nbsp; “Come buy me!!&nbsp; I am on <em>clearance</em>!!&nbsp; I complete you!!”&nbsp; </p> <p>There were lots of them in the rug aisle, so I popped in to see what was there.&nbsp; And by popped, I mean grunted and groaned to maneuver my huge mega-boat-cart with three child seats and a load of diaper boxes and swinging monkey-children without crashing into the nice lady who was also looking innocently at the rug selection.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; Keeping it real, folks.&nbsp; </p> <p>I spied a number of rugs that were on sale, including one 2X3 WHITE<em> </em>one that I knew would <em>not</em> be coming home with me.&nbsp; Then I saw that some of the Threshold runners were also on clearance, down from $39 to $27.&nbsp; And yes, there was one that looked as though it could hide a whole lot of dirt and still look pretty.&nbsp; Winner!&nbsp; I grabbed it before any more cute monkeys broke containment and figured I could always return it if it didn’t look right.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z58F3Tk7nVg/UytIYUXgMrI/AAAAAAAACA0/oK_iFrprtjs/s1600-h/IMG_8067%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8067" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8067" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-57e82Xnpgik/UytIZM0OcnI/AAAAAAAACA8/woLQH2NCjpE/IMG_8067_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="640"></a></p> <p>When I got home I tried it out, after giving the area a good sweep.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OiPmAmhPxYQ/UytIZxM20_I/AAAAAAAACBE/LszS5__67To/s1600-h/IMG_8069%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8069" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8069" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Op3Idk-Fos0/UytIaqYAELI/AAAAAAAACBI/QcgH2eYwsv8/IMG_8069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>Much better, don’t you think??&nbsp; I may need to put a rug pad under it to make sure it doesn’t slip around, but I’m calling this particular rug hunt to an end.&nbsp; I really like the nubbly texture and diamond pattern:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OFo-UGbQnbo/UytIbhflJ8I/AAAAAAAACBQ/HZ_Sg1_ycno/s1600-h/IMG_8070%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8070" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8070" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-47VGV_tgblM/UytIcRCDoDI/AAAAAAAACBY/8dDmJKAmiv8/IMG_8070_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I’m not sure if it was just my particular Target or what, but there were lots of rugs on clearance and lots of rugs on sale too…so maybe if you’re in the market for a rug you should go check and see if yours has any deals!&nbsp; </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-53481111672019042092014-03-17T14:48:00.001-06:002014-03-17T14:48:02.575-06:00Storage Woes<p>Have you ever watched Storage Wars?&nbsp; When we had cable it was one of our favorite things to watch.&nbsp; Sure, it was staged and the characters were zany and generally inappropriate, but it was always fun to see what they found in those lockers they bid on.&nbsp; I can certainly identify with the thrill of not knowing <em>what</em> you might find…could be something amazing, could be somebody's old dentures.&nbsp; Kind of like garage saling or thrifting, right?!?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>My storage issues are nowhere near as soap-opera-ish as that show, but I certainly have a few.&nbsp; I have been procrastinating on a big one in our basement storage room.&nbsp; When we moved in we put all the boxes down there that we weren’t quite sure where they would belong, and there they stayed.&nbsp; Oh, and they magically seemed to multiply overnight!</p> <p>Look!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dWQ7FtFmZnc/UydfX-REh2I/AAAAAAAAB_M/PK-lOdQHWtA/s1600-h/IMG_80193.jpg"><img title="IMG_8019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D24FSUepP20/UydfY1uTC8I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/DBC2G3uBaSU/IMG_8019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LZ3vG8BDRjc/UydfaMLVn7I/AAAAAAAAB_c/38yqXra4ibU/s1600-h/IMG_80203.jpg"><img title="IMG_8020" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_l3qRPYoAiA/Uydfa-I7tqI/AAAAAAAAB_k/MqiTwclOAGE/IMG_8020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You can see why I have been procrastinating on cleaning this out.&nbsp; Yikes!!&nbsp; (And no, I am not a hoarder.&nbsp; Though, now that I think of it…why did I keep the dingy lace curtains from our old house???&nbsp; : )</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It is actually a pretty large, though oddly shaped, room.&nbsp; It is also a utility room so the furnace, water heater, etc. have to fit in there too.&nbsp; The previous owners built the shelves which really maximize the amount of storage and I am so glad!&nbsp; A lot can fit here!&nbsp; Obviously though, we were not making good use of the space.&nbsp; Stuff was stacked everywhere!&nbsp; I really wanted to go through <em>everything</em> to see if we even wanted some of the stuff anymore while I cleaned it out.&nbsp; </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I’ve been working on this for the last week, off and on, and while it still isn’t a pretty space (and certainly doesn’t have to be!), it is now a LOT more usable and organized.&nbsp; Oh, and I boxed up a <em>bunch</em> of stuff that is either going to Goodwill or will be for a garage sale this summer!&nbsp; Yay!&nbsp; We can actually see the floor!&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f1GuVUuAons/UydfbrlgHKI/AAAAAAAAB_s/gcFecf6kPjk/s1600-h/IMG_8056%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8056" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8056" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-14OnrZPQqIM/UydfckRBOVI/AAAAAAAAB_0/t0-Yx_hpg6M/IMG_8056_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8an2XUrJJS8/Uydfd43fxII/AAAAAAAAB_8/l_fYSSvs0ac/s1600-h/IMG_8055%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8055" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8055" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IIeE9avx8mQ/Uydfeh2sjeI/AAAAAAAACAA/U3chAKmAkws/IMG_8055_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ujgega1JHkY/UydfflGCmZI/AAAAAAAACAI/UaCYLQR6BZw/s1600-h/IMG_8058%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8058" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8058" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l6Q4gHViiO4/UydfgG0H1TI/AAAAAAAACAQ/9oQ7ONm5bk4/IMG_8058_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>Now I can actually do projects on the counter!!&nbsp; (Hmmm, like maybe painting the shelves for the bedroom cubby??&nbsp; Trying to get myself psyched up for that project!)&nbsp; </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There may not be hidden treasure in this room, but at least we no longer feel we need to hire a dumpster to deal with it.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; I love projects like this that cost nothing yet make such a big difference in the function of our house…especially when we need to find something!&nbsp; </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-73447345090433189722014-03-07T20:02:00.001-06:002014-03-07T20:02:52.816-06:00Checking things off the list…headboard done!<p>After planning to make (and having most of the supplies for) this headboard for around 2 (!) years, it is done!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wAmD3IfD_3I/Uxp5_41AAlI/AAAAAAAAB7w/XaII6zM3cVU/s1600-h/velvetheadboard2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="velvetheadboard2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="velvetheadboard2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B1cLeEPdF3g/Uxp6A7igWzI/AAAAAAAAB74/8vo0l3xpUms/velvetheadboard2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I don’t know why I waited sooooo long.&nbsp; It really was pretty easy, apart from wrestling with the fabric around those curves.&nbsp; There are so many tutorials from various blogs for making one of these that I won’t write an in-depth tutorial, but suffice to say I mainly used <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/diy-tufted-headboard-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this one</a> from Thrifty Décor Chick and <a href="http://pneumaticaddict.blogspot.com/2013/01/tufting-headboard-easy-way.html" target="_blank">this one</a> from Pneumatic Addict to create this.&nbsp; I started with a piece of MDF measuring 76X35 (we have a California King) and cut out the corners plus a gentle curve across the top.&nbsp; I then laid it out on the kitchen floor.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y-OG0IZsK_A/Uxp6Bwk9fVI/AAAAAAAAB8A/ik7aMGAQzUg/s1600-h/IMG_7902%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7902" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7902" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lbBAhLMW0dk/Uxp6CkwLONI/AAAAAAAAB8I/hhUw9LqCmn8/IMG_7902_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>(I use this old waterproof tablecloth for everything…you can see some paint from the living room stenciled curtains still on it!)</p> <p>Then I used the board as a template for cutting the layers of foam.&nbsp; Two years ago I snagged these new XL twin foam mattress toppers from Goodwill (originally from Target).&nbsp; I sandwiched them together and then cut them.&nbsp; I have heard of people using an electric carving knife to cut the foam but I don’t have one (do people really actually still use those for cutting meat??) and I improvised with a cheese knife.&nbsp; It worked SO great!&nbsp; Now, this wasn’t just any cheese knife…this was one my husband got me for a present and it is super duper serrated with areas cut out of it.&nbsp; Here it is in action:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A1E9GeSMkVg/Uxp6DIdIB8I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/Uz63LDrUeZQ/s1600-h/IMG_7905%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7905" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7905" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_5-b_6C0KsU/Uxp6D6pStTI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/H_fxRqJuAuQ/IMG_7905_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>Then I stapled batting around the foam and board:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K4PeFgJMzVk/Uxp6EuzaxFI/AAAAAAAAB8g/-GNAhRoWN1Q/s1600-h/IMG_7918%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7918" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7918" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y3Kkw4GPcoY/Uxp6FVkpooI/AAAAAAAAB8o/lAIpBEkhLN8/IMG_7918_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>and started stapling the velvet.&nbsp; I was originally going to use a dropcloth that I had bought ages ago for this project, but then when I brought it up to the bedroom to visualize how everything would look together, I realized that it was almost exactly the same color as the wall and would blend right in!!&nbsp; Oops! </p> <p>That kind of put a damper on my enthusiasm…until I was out thrifting last week and came across this drape that was originally from Target and was still brand new in the packaging.&nbsp; It was a navy velvet blackout drape.&nbsp; It was more than I normally would spend on thrifted things but it was just <em>perfect</em> so I splurged.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PtUXfZd3lD0/Uxp6GFdw89I/AAAAAAAAB8w/JqfbDzQEMXM/s1600-h/IMG_8015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8015" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9-ut71E6z3g/Uxp6G0YYV5I/AAAAAAAAB84/Rd-nBut4fT4/IMG_8015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>As I got to the curves, it became rather difficult to make the fabric look good on the front of the headboard as the velvet had absolutely no stretch or give to it.&nbsp; I had to take it out and re-staple several times to get it to look good.&nbsp; In the end I think it looks fine, especially after I got the tufts put in it.&nbsp; Then I used quarters to decide where I wanted the tufting to go, and marked those places with chalk.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gv6p9xIT6p0/Uxp6HmlHbYI/AAAAAAAAB9A/W-mCE9-dKgs/s1600-h/IMG_7920%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7920" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7920" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NzLj3A-_A_k/Uxp6IXm8T2I/AAAAAAAAB9I/KLNpyPYdSWU/IMG_7920_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I used the tutorial from <a href="http://pneumaticaddict.blogspot.com/2013/01/tufting-headboard-easy-way.html" target="_blank">Pneumatic Addict</a> for this part…instead of tufting with a needle and thread, I used screws and washers to make the little indentations.&nbsp; I simply put the screw through the washer, poked it in the chalk mark and through the foam, and screwed it in until I liked how the tuft looked.&nbsp; It seemed to work great, though I wish I had used larger washers (the ones I used were only 1/2 inch or so).&nbsp; I covered some buttons (from a kit from Joann Fabrics) with more velvet and glued them on over the washers/screws with E6000 glue.&nbsp; </p> <p>I made little legs for it out of other pieces of MDF as it is pretty huge and heavy and covered them with leftover velvet and attached them to the headboard.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XAJI3dIXzMk/Uxp6JNKA6sI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/2pj5hxme1yc/s1600-h/IMG_7936%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7936" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7936" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kc9B2XItybY/Uxp6J6MxjVI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/OjlbTPFYYr4/IMG_7936_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Then it was time to see how it looked!!!&nbsp; (My favorite part!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4kg_ztNXHas/Uxp6KtHKO3I/AAAAAAAAB9g/ZOwJyMT-Y8Y/s1600-h/navyvelvettuftedheadboard%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="navyvelvettuftedheadboard" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="navyvelvettuftedheadboard" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7rRggPavm2U/Uxp6LVX-0ZI/AAAAAAAAB9o/bmP13lp-Lrs/navyvelvettuftedheadboard_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="456"></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TrMxivMy5Do/Uxp6MPa4MPI/AAAAAAAAB9w/y7gLysUCwxQ/s1600-h/velvetheadboard1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="velvetheadboard1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="velvetheadboard1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ethLcUp4TYU/Uxp6MnbIRVI/AAAAAAAAB94/m_BTXgl2KNo/velvetheadboard1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BjlvDiQWilQ/Uxp6NV1NM0I/AAAAAAAAB-A/ursGcQ1IfDw/s1600-h/plantheadboard2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="plantheadboard2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="plantheadboard2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-REzFIhjawdw/Uxp6OCteN5I/AAAAAAAAB-I/Um8YmkdNwak/plantheadboard2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="480"></a></p> <p>It is also reading-husband approved : )&nbsp; I like to read in bed too and it so much more comfortable now to do so!!&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c3XEp1BtvdE/Uxp6O1M941I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/SgnQ3dZ_GsA/s1600-h/IMG_7993%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7993" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7993" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FTJ1VgCVSn4/Uxp6Phv4IPI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/wSuEIn6wZDQ/IMG_7993_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>I am really liking how much more grown-up looking our bedroom is with the headboard!&nbsp; This is the bed before</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-apJt2axPs5E/Uxp6QSsjU4I/AAAAAAAAB-g/Cde4uPRdvnI/s1600-h/IMG_7861%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7861" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7861" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l4Q8EAJ6Ke4/Uxp6RDMc9lI/AAAAAAAAB-o/NfM6Lmln5G8/IMG_7861_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>and now!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0wptxB1aVZE/Uxp6R8WnG7I/AAAAAAAAB-w/W8DdkH3nwnY/s1600-h/velvetheadboardbanner%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="velvetheadboardbanner" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="velvetheadboardbanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YOHlw4G0ev0/Uxp6SqEpovI/AAAAAAAAB-4/K8AdmMbCT28/velvetheadboardbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>(Please tell me I’m not the only one who procrastinates on projects for years before finishing them!!!)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Linking up with Home Coming's <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-diyers-44-and-new-host.html">The DIYers</a>, House on the Way's <a href="http://www.houseontheway.com/twirl-take-bow-party-74/">Twirl and Take a Bow Party,</a> DIY by Design's<a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/2014/01/winter-blues-wednesday-its-party-150.html"> Winter Blues Party</a>, Savvy Southern Style's <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2014/01/wow-us-wednesdays-151.html">Wow us Wednesdays</a>, Remodelaholic's <a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/2014/01/link-party-features/">Anonymous Party</a>, The Idea Room's "<a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2014/01/party-bunch-linky-party-7.html">Party Bunch Linky Party</a>, and Tatertot and Jello's <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2014/01/link-party-palooza.html#more-58723">Link Party Palooza</a>, Be Different Act Normal's<a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2014/01/show-tell-saturday-011114.html"> Show and Tell,</a> The DIY Showoff's <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/2014/01/12/diy-party-diy-highlights/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FpuSM+%28DIY+Show+Off%29">That DIY Party</a>,</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-2474077588199740662014-02-27T20:41:00.001-06:002014-02-27T20:41:05.026-06:00Of Cubbies and Thrifting Co-ops<p>We are beginning to wonder if spring will ever come this year…tonight will be at least –10 yet again!&nbsp; Yikes!</p> <p>To distract myself, I’ve been busy-ing myself with stuff around the house, though I don’t have much to show you here.&nbsp; </p> <p>I<em> did</em> get the back of the cubby painted in the bedroom!&nbsp; See?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-23aADiIeZY8/Uw_3JU5RldI/AAAAAAAAB6U/4pdPpS8x958/s1600-h/IMG_7889%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7889" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7889" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-snyv95zwP8A/Uw_3KDw6geI/AAAAAAAAB6c/UVf40stXmC0/IMG_7889_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>Baby steps!&nbsp; Here is the color, Mysterious by Benjamin Moore (our local hardware store was clearing out the sample pots and they were on sale for 75 cents a piece…woot!!&nbsp; I grabbed three but only used 2 so I have one more for something else).&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bhm_0ejs-uo/Uw_3KzoIzLI/AAAAAAAAB6k/dyNuTsz2N80/s1600-h/IMG_7887%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7887" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7887" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dnlztvDeyX8/Uw_3LtDNcpI/AAAAAAAAB6s/NYyC89Vpmkc/IMG_7887_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>It is looking more finished already than this messy maroon two-tone look it started out as:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K1vXJP_j6fw/Uw_3Me_5TtI/AAAAAAAAB60/uDZgboKKSyM/s1600-h/IMG_7883%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7883" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7883" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uOS-YYsgKno/Uw_3M5ocs_I/AAAAAAAAB68/0E7AX5yzD6c/IMG_7883_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>I decided to paint over the cable hookup so there is less to distract.&nbsp; One outlet is easier to hide than two!&nbsp; We don’t have cable and don’t plan to have a TV in here anyway (and the hookup is still fully functioning, just more hidden).&nbsp; </p> <p>I had all the shelves cut today and I have a plan (a cheap plan!) for the shelf holders (or whatever you call the things the shelf sits on!) and the molding that goes on the front.&nbsp; Hopefully it will all work out the way I plan.&nbsp; You know how these things can go!</p> <p>I am super excited about some stuff I found out thrifting this week!&nbsp; It has got me all excited about this bedroom project again…I was feeling a little meh about the headboard plan and this really has me all rarin’ to go.&nbsp; I hope it turns out!&nbsp; (I’ll show you as soon as I have it done!)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I think we need to band together and start thrifting cooperatives.&nbsp; For example, yesterday out thrifting I saw this hutch:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cNO43aQTwP0/Uw_3NmuSA3I/AAAAAAAAB7E/pZ5XoEEpLTI/s1600-h/IMG_7745%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7745" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7745" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3td2Ec_hdAo/Uw_3ORkZHuI/AAAAAAAAB7M/bfDIyfPLte4/IMG_7745_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></a></p> <p>It is a nice hutch…I really like how simple it is…and with a little love it could look a lot like the one in my kitchen:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ucu9aqs3k6I/Uw_3POW5_-I/AAAAAAAAB7U/mqSBvyUivrI/s1600-h/kitchenredo2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="kitchenredo2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="kitchenredo2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_GvEE0L8reM/Uw_3Piq7AUI/AAAAAAAAB7c/3lHWVG8f4cY/kitchenredo2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p align="center">(This was at the old house but it is alive and well in our dining area here!)</p> <p>One of my friends had emailed me a while back saying that she was going to look for a hutch like the one I had and when I saw it in the thrift store I had to email her the picture.&nbsp; I don’t know if it is right for her or if she will get it, but I got to thinking…wouldn’t it be cool if we all had little wish lists we could share with other “thrifters” and then when they saw something on our list they would let us know where and when they saw it so we could go check it out?&nbsp; Of course it would probably only work for locals, but still…I think it would be fun!&nbsp; I know I come across so many things while I am garage saling, etc. that I think…wow, that is nice and it is a good deal…but I don’t need it or have space in my house for it so I don’t get it.&nbsp; But if I knew someone else was looking for that particular item, I’d snap a picture and tell them where to find it and maybe a thrifty match would be made!&nbsp; </p> <p>Just an idea I had percolating in my brain.&nbsp; : )</p> <p>How is it possible it is almost March???&nbsp; </p> <p>Have a great Friday!</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-38409697104608058162014-02-20T14:40:00.001-06:002014-02-24T07:58:25.429-06:00Tips for Selling your House<p>I thought since now is the time for planning for a spring or summer move, this could be timely even though the weather is far from spring-like in this climate.&nbsp; : )</p> <p>When we sold our house last summer it was a bittersweet moment.&nbsp; We had so many happy memories in that home and it really was a lovely little house.&nbsp; What we didn’t care for was its urban location—something that we could not change.&nbsp; We longed for a place where we didn’t feel like fish in a fishbowl.&nbsp; But before we could move on, we had to sell our home first. </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YbzBX9uEUrY/UwZoKTvceEI/AAAAAAAAB40/VcNGs2U3-ag/s1600-h/TipsforSellinghouse3.jpg"><img title="TipsforSellinghouse" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="TipsforSellinghouse" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-91g3DO-TQXU/UwZoLRCaQQI/AAAAAAAAB44/CiWBZPtG-ak/TipsforSellinghouse_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="480"></a></p> <p>These tips aren’t rocket science (nor are they guaranteed to sell your house!), just little things I did that may have helped our home to appear attractive to potential buyers and sell in 2 weeks.&nbsp; </p> <p>In no particular order:</p> <p align="center"><strong>1</strong>. </p> <p>Make it smell fresh!&nbsp; And I don’t mean plug in an air freshener…’cause personally if I were the prospective buyer I would really be turned off by that and I would wonder if they were trying to hide some awful smell!&nbsp; Clean the carpet, wipe down everything with some nice-smelling cleaner, keep the bathrooms aired out, scrub around the toilets, make sure the garbage disposal is squeaky clean, and above all if you have pets make sure their litter boxes, beds, toys, etc are not smelly!&nbsp; I don’t know how many houses we looked at that had a distinctive pet odor lingering in certain places (or everywhere!).&nbsp; In our own home I even went as far as to run a hot shower for a few minutes with some Irish Spring soap on the shower floor to make sure our basement shower smelled as fresh and clean as could be just before every showing.&nbsp; </p> <p align="center"><strong>2</strong>.&nbsp; </p> <p>Take down all personal pictures!&nbsp; I had read elsewhere that having personal photos around makes it difficult for buyers to picture themselves living in the house and I think that is definitely true.&nbsp; I took down all of ours and we found that we didn’t feel at home in the houses we looked at with lots of photos up everywhere.&nbsp; Now, I don’t know if you have to be as radical as I was and take them <em>all</em> down, but it certainly can’t hurt!&nbsp; </p> <p align="center"><strong>3</strong>.&nbsp; </p> <p>Declutter.&nbsp; Take everything that you don’t need out of the house.&nbsp; Less stuff makes your house seem bigger!&nbsp; Plus, it is hard for people to see past all the stuff to imagine their own things there.&nbsp; Moving is always a good time to get rid of things anyway and to pare down what you have too, so start early! </p> <p align="center"><strong>4</strong>.&nbsp; </p> <p>Spruce up the outside.&nbsp; I went to Home Depot and bought a bunch of bags of fresh mulch to put down around our flowerbeds and around our garage.&nbsp; It really made the property look well maintained.&nbsp; We also made sure to keep the sidewalks swept and the grass trimmed.&nbsp; In the winter make sure your walks are shoveled and de-iced (if you live where it snows).&nbsp; A nice wreath on the front door always makes the house look loved as well!&nbsp; We also seeded some parts of the lawn where the grass was thin to get the lawn looking lush and green.&nbsp; </p> <p align="center"><strong>5</strong>.&nbsp; </p> <p>Go neutral.&nbsp; Got a wall that’s bright orange?&nbsp; Maybe you loved it, but most other people will remember your house as the one with the orange (or neon green, or bright purple) room.&nbsp; Get a $25 gallon of paint in a neutral color and (carefully!) paint the wall.&nbsp; </p> <p align="center"><strong>6</strong>.&nbsp; </p> <p>Try to sell in the spring!&nbsp; Our realtor shared that spring is the best time to sell a house (at least in our area) as many people are looking to be settled in their new house before the next school year starts.&nbsp; Plus, it is just plain easier to move when it is warmer out!&nbsp; Your yard most likely looks its best at this time of year too.&nbsp; I know though that often you don’t have total control over when you need/want to sell, so this may not be an option for you.</p> <p align="center"><strong>7</strong>.&nbsp; </p> <p>Make sure the pictures on your listing are a good indication of what your house looks like!&nbsp; I ended up taking pictures of our house myself and submitting them to the realtor because I had seen way too many listings where the rooms looked simply awful due to the poor quality of the photos.&nbsp; I never saw any pictures that our realtor took so I have no idea what skill he had in that area, but I knew I could do a pretty good job so I did it myself.&nbsp; If your realtor takes pictures and they look bad, don’t be shy.&nbsp; Tell him/her nicely you want them re-taken or take them yourself or get someone else to take pictures.&nbsp; You will be paying said realtor thousands of dollars at the closing…you are the customer and you have the final say in this, so be proactive!</p> <p align="center"><strong>8</strong>. </p> <p>Prayer.&nbsp; Moving is a big deal in your life!&nbsp; We prayed daily during this whole process…that we would sell our house, that we would find the house God meant for us, that things would go as smoothly as possible.&nbsp; I truly believe this played a huge part in it going as well as it did.&nbsp; It certainly wasn't pain-free, but we definitely felt confident we were doing the right thing and that God was guiding us in our house hunt.&nbsp; </p> <p align="center"><strong>9</strong>.&nbsp; </p> <p>Add a bouquet of fresh flowers to the kitchen table (or somewhere in the kitchen).&nbsp; Alstroemeria last a long time, and they are pretty cheap so a few bunches of those won’t break the bank.&nbsp; It makes the whole house seem more inviting!</p> <p align="center"><strong>10</strong>. </p> <p>Re-consider some of your décor.&nbsp; Maybe you LOVE all your taxidermy, but others may not share your enthusiasm for deer heads peeking out of fake trees along your walls.&nbsp; Enter some visuals of “What Not To Do”:&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sqNk7hV7Wb4/UwZoMU5J2VI/AAAAAAAAB5E/2bsB4Hct7jQ/s1600-h/deerhouse22.jpg"><img title="deerhouse2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="deerhouse2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GlYOeQvyqxk/UwZoNaulEgI/AAAAAAAAB5M/oxLBqdXxv-8/deerhouse2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480"></a></p> <p>Aaaannnd…it only gets worse:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NI3dDJX6oos/UwZoOqStIMI/AAAAAAAAB5U/BgGeImCFSMI/s1600-h/deerhouse2.jpg"><img title="deerhouse" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="deerhouse" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aGf3iFkbiUw/UwZoPlM680I/AAAAAAAAB5c/ekpl6vlk2pc/deerhouse_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480"></a></p> <p>Hellooooo deer!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VWZsOlpAZGg/UwZoQuB-cQI/AAAAAAAAB5k/9rEsTaMX58E/s1600-h/photo2.jpg"><img title="photo" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="photo" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ayVUAZEUwxA/UwZoRR5-nCI/AAAAAAAAB5o/rjmATvNXe4w/photo_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480"></a></p> <p align="center">(All photos courtesy of my husband from an<em> actual house that we went to look at</em>!&nbsp; And there were even more non-pictured animals and trees!)&nbsp; </p> <p>In a similar vein, your “saloon” complete with lots of neon bar signs will only appeal to a small group of people and most buyers really just want to see if the room size will accommodate their furniture and if it is in good condition.&nbsp; Not an easy thing to ascertain when you have to maneuver around novelty beer items and a mini fridge or two!&nbsp; (Again, speaking from experience here!!)</p> <p>Well there you have it…little tips that certainly won’t eliminate any big problems in your house, but may help you make your home just a little more desirable to potential buyers.&nbsp; Wishing those of you who are in this process a speedy and fair sale of your home!&nbsp; And may you quickly have one of these in your yard…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mr5vNq39ROs/UcnW00KKppI/AAAAAAAAA9U/_51OVnHKb8s/s1600-h/IMG_6427%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6427" border="0" alt="IMG_6427" src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Flh3.ggpht.com%2F-2Li-5xAfI40%2FUcnW1Sn8wQI%2FAAAAAAAAA9c%2FUs6x0HCIcb4%2FIMG_6427_thumb%2525255B5%2525255D.jpg%3Fimgmax%3D800&amp;container=blogger&amp;gadget=a&amp;rewriteMime=image%2F*" width="347" height="286"></a></p> <p>Linking up with Remodelaholic’s <a href="www.remodelaholic.com" target="_blank">Anonymous Party</a>, Tatertots and Jello’s <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com" target="_blank">Link Party Palooza</a>, The DIY Showoff’s <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/2014/02/23/diy-party-5/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FpuSM+%28DIY+Show+Off%29" target="_blank">That DIY Party</a>, Home Coming’s <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-diyers-51.html" target="_blank">The DIYers</a>, </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-87138624545419257902014-02-17T22:36:00.001-06:002014-02-24T07:57:39.493-06:00What is Inspiring Me—Master Bedroom Edition<p>Hello again!!&nbsp; We just got a few more inches of snow…and here I thought we were beating old man winter at his game with this slightly warmer weather we’ve been having!&nbsp; Today is supposed to be 39 degrees though, so a major improvement over our recent temps for sure.&nbsp; It has me soooo ready for spring!</p> <p>Since nothing is happening outside yet, I’m hatching up a plan for our master bedroom.&nbsp; It involves navy blue, walnut wood, oatmeal/natural,&nbsp; white, and gray…with maybe a pop of green?</p> <p align="center"><img alt="flora hues" src="http://design-seeds.com/palettes/FloraHues_6.png" width="420" height="399"></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://design-seeds.com/index.php/home/entry/flora-hues17" target="_blank">DesignSeeds</a>)</p> <p align="left">I am thinking a different shade of green though, more like the one in this palette:</p> <p align="center"><img alt="color shore" src="http://design-seeds.com/palettes/ColorShore.png" width="420" height="398"></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://design-seeds.com/palettes/ColorShore.png" target="_blank">DesignSeeds</a>)</p> <p align="left">I just want it to be a restful and soothing oasis.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; Those scenes look pretty peaceful, right??&nbsp; : )</p> <p align="left">Onward…some photos that inspire me for this space, starting with an idea for that awkward little nook we have in there:</p> <p align="center"><img title="dresser view from door" border="0" alt="dresser view from door" src="http://1c6162ac207f6525cfd8-84665c880233094a565668f32cb79f8e.r10.cf2.rackcdn.com/2013/08/dresser-view-from-door.jpg" width="538" height="718"></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2013/08/guest-room-finishing-touches/" target="_blank">Centsational Girl</a>)</p> <p align="left">I am thinking that painting the back of that cubby navy with white shelves will create a very similar look to the one above.&nbsp; Really pretty!</p> <p align="left">Many of my inspirational photos have a slight nautical twist to them, but I like that none of them are necessarily nautical <em>themed.</em>&nbsp; I like the occasional octopus:</p> <p align="center"><img alt="aha, an octopus print for the hubby!" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/6a/10/6a/6a106a98770888d294b04f19fcba7b9d.jpg"></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://www.brightboldbeautiful.com/" target="_blank">Bright, Bold, and Beautiful)</a></p> <p align="left">or the understated whale:</p> <p align="center"><img title="wave headboard in oyster with navy trim" alt="wave headboard in oyster with navy trim" src="http://www.oomphonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/500x500/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/_/j/_jane_beiles-2874-1_2.jpg" width="500" height="500"></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://www.oomphonline.com/wave-headboard.html" target="_blank">Oomph Online</a>)</p> <p align="left">and even a nod to a porthole:</p> <p align="center"><img alt="French Stripe Jersey-Knit Bedding - Garnet Hill I like the mix of wood tones+white+navy" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3d/b4/ce/3db4ce775a40ccfb069abad45a5d42c4.jpg"></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://www.garnethill.com/bedding-bath/sheets/patterned-sheets/#w=*&amp;af=cat3:beddingbath_sheets_patternedsheets cat2:beddingbath_sheets cat1:beddingbath" target="_blank">Garnet Hill</a>)</p> <p>but I would never want a room that was completely nautical themed and had boat and sea <em>everything.</em>&nbsp; </p> <p>I really liked this collected-looking room, though without the additional furniture and grandiose headboard:</p> <p align="center"><img alt="Need a change, something bright,&nbsp;wonderful and ultra rad? Style your place with a new funky rug. Shop&nbsp;these affordable, bright, cool rugs.&nbsp;<br />1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 /10" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/ff98558e417fd09d59491c42b1818d60/tumblr_mpc1va42WN1rz8t4lo7_500.jpg"></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://blog.uncovet.com/post/54468908463/need-a-change-something-bright-wonderful-and" target="_blank">Uncovet blog</a>)</p> <p align="left">I thought this bedroom seemed very relaxing and not-too-feminine:</p> <p align="center"><img alt="Seaside Style: A Beach Cottage Dream I really like this bedroom. Lots of white, navy blue, and just a splash of natural wood tones. Very Classic-Nautical. Nice. Most people over do a Nautical themed room but this one is a nice design." src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/43/34/9b/43349bb7431b9a7d37f3bef3e29bd667.jpg"></p> <p align="center">(from Pinterest—if you know where the original is from please let me know!)</p> <p align="left">I thought this treatment on the vaulted ceiling added so much character to the room:</p> <p align="center"><img alt="Like the treatment on the vaulted ceiling" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1a/ee/71/1aee71f9b8553764dbfa52911930fdb2.jpg"></p> <p align="center">(via Pinterest, but again no idea where the original is from…please let me know if <em>you </em>do!)</p> <p align="left">Remember, I have a perhaps overly ambitious item on my room list, which is putting faux beams on the vaulted ceiling.&nbsp; No idea if it will actually happen, but I think it would look really neat!</p> <p align="left">Just one more:</p> <p align="center"><img border="0" src="http://thedecorista.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/NewBedWithFur.jpg" width="503" height="505"></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://thedecorista.com/2012/02/style-icious-sunday-lately-loving-grey-on-grey.html" target="_blank">The Decorista</a>)</p> <p>Of course, the inspiration pictures are exactly that—inspiration!&nbsp; No way our room is going to look quite like those, but it is certainly fun to look…and very helpful for me to get a general idea of what I am going for here.&nbsp; </p> <p>Hopefully I’ll be able to start working on some projects in there this week!</p> <p>Linking up to Remodelaholic’s <a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com" target="_blank">Anonymous Party</a>, Home Coming’s <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-diyers-51.html" target="_blank">The DIYers</a>, </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-40972611345456627252014-02-13T14:19:00.001-06:002014-02-13T14:19:29.496-06:00Next…Master Bedroom<p>One area of the house I haven’t focused on much at all since we moved last June is our master bedroom.&nbsp; Since we don’t spend much time in there apart from sleeping, it gets rather neglected in the beauty area.&nbsp; On the flip side, it doesn’t usually get very messy either, which is always a welcome change for this mom who is constantly trying to keep the rest of the house from looking like a tornado went through it.&nbsp; : )</p> <p>I really would like to eventually get some curtains and something on the walls, so the room feels a little more homey and lived-in.&nbsp; Plus, I just think it will be a fun room to decorate.&nbsp; : )</p> <p>Here is where we started, before we moved our bed and stuff in:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qo2p59koLP0/Uv0om8EGW-I/AAAAAAAAB28/tPIeeXgAPbU/s1600-h/IMG_6367%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6367" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6367" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4mamKQS2PUM/Uv0on6uYkSI/AAAAAAAAB3E/dD4ffSORAnc/IMG_6367_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>I realize that picture doesn’t tell you much about the room, but it does scream “90’s!” so you can get the vibe of the whole area.&nbsp; Picture this, but continuing all around the room.&nbsp; I’m really not a fan of maroon so I knew this would be one of the first things in the house to get painted, and thankfully it was.&nbsp; My sister helped me paint it when my husband was out of town last fall, and I also took those curtains down ASAP.&nbsp; They looked like big bushy eyebrows to me!!&nbsp; </p> <p>Here is the room today…keep in mind I have not done anything except paint in here!!!&nbsp; This is the <em>starting</em> point, my friends.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yoZbrMhuP1Q/Uv0oo4AqopI/AAAAAAAAB3I/sJprg-LUW1o/s1600-h/IMG_7862%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7862" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7862" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JD9jLvOSM7k/Uv0ophZwcLI/AAAAAAAAB3U/793hSJB861w/IMG_7862_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Also, I realized that we still have the wreaths on our windows in this picture .&nbsp; I did take them down yesterday, yay for me!!!!!&nbsp; (Sarcastically patting myself on the back right now…)&nbsp; Also, I’m just a little embarrassed because we normally have a nicer comforter on our bed, but I had spilled red wine while reading on it the night before so it was in the wash!&nbsp; Baby blue spare blankets to the rescue!!&nbsp; </p> <p>We painted the room Worldly Gray by Benjamin Moore (color-matched in Olympic paint).&nbsp; I think they may have made a little mistake in the tinting department as it didn’t seem quite the same color as the same Worldly Gray I painted in the dining room of our previous house, but I still really like it.&nbsp; It bridges gray and tan and is a very calming neutral.&nbsp; Which is exactly what I want this room to be…<em>calming</em>!!&nbsp; I want it to be our quiet and calming refuge from the sea of noise our three rowdy (but very loved!) children bring to our lives.&nbsp; </p> <p>Ok, enough talking.&nbsp; More pictures:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vgnplvh-jvs/Uv0oqbuCwVI/AAAAAAAAB3c/0rerG2aB3wI/s1600-h/IMG_7861%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7861" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7861" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--0liEX2rM6s/Uv0orMAYQBI/AAAAAAAAB3g/-o6UsLIt9h8/IMG_7861_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>You can see from the picture above that it has a vaulted ceiling which I wasn’t sure of at first, but have since decided that I really like (especially because it has a skylight…see below).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SUMH9JSKrwg/Uv0or0XJjXI/AAAAAAAAB3s/lJEZ83zUA7A/s1600-h/IMG_7863%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7863" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7863" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VTiLWcGKugs/Uv0osg4qZ6I/AAAAAAAAB3w/NOy6IFG-DH8/IMG_7863_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>It is a fairly large room, so much larger than our old bedroom.&nbsp; The bed is king-sized so it takes up a lot of space, but there is still plenty of room around it.&nbsp; One nice thing is that we don’t have to keep our dressers in our room as we have a pretty large closet-room attached too.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AdnU7lYirck/Uv0otXQ0mfI/AAAAAAAAB38/2vy4mboXgFQ/s1600-h/IMG_7865%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7865" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7865" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9QikfnzytnU/Uv0ouj92u4I/AAAAAAAAB4A/-GJOF0dDeK0/IMG_7865_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Ok, here goes.&nbsp; I have a lot of plans for this room!&nbsp; See that little indented area in the wall?&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BEntcmON4QA/Uv0ovwiWhnI/AAAAAAAAB4M/TL4nWUEAOFw/s1600-h/IMG_7869%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7869" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7869" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yUpSwLVMFxc/Uv0owRAB5DI/AAAAAAAAB4U/RuGJJfptgi4/IMG_7869_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p>When we moved it in had a couple of shelves made of particle-board on a very unattractive metal shelving system (think metal strips with brackets on either side of the opening).&nbsp; It looked like something college kids would have in their dorm room.&nbsp; </p> <p>I would like to make real wood shelves and trim them out to look something more like this inspiration photo:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BsSMs1YPbGo/TX--0njDa9I/AAAAAAAABYs/PKrLATSpoXU/s1600/DSCN7231.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BsSMs1YPbGo/TX--0njDa9I/AAAAAAAABYs/PKrLATSpoXU/s400/DSCN7231.JPG" width="300" height="400"></a></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://www.thriftyandchic.com/2011/03/diy-built-ins.html" target="_blank">Thrifty and Chic</a>)</p> <p align="left">Wouldn’t that be pretty?&nbsp; (I’m not sure my bibliophile husband would agree however… ; )</p> <p align="left">Next up, we need some curtains!</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2T2gfSp2b-I/Uv0ox3zvccI/AAAAAAAAB4c/-3uLAWheNkg/s1600-h/IMG_7862%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7862" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7862" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9xOsYvjb4wY/Uv0oz233VFI/AAAAAAAAB4k/HUo40f-RFEM/IMG_7862_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></a></p> <p>I really have no ideas for curtains yet, except I know they will be cheap.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; Stay tuned for that.&nbsp; </p> <p>Since I love lists, here’s a list of my ideas for this room:</p> <ul> <li>Install shelves in inset area (and paint the wall behind navy) <li>Cheap curtains, most likely DIY <li>Headboard (DIY…I’ve had all the materials for this for months and months and just haven’t done it yet!) <li>Re-make bedskirt (since our bed is a Cali King I’d rather spend a little time sewing than a lot of money on a new one) <li>Do something about the golden oak trim and doors (I’m mulling over this one, any suggestions?&nbsp; My husband likes the wood-grain look while I would prefer to just paint it) <li>Thrift a different side table for his side of the bed, something industrial strength to hold all the books he normally has stacked there.&nbsp; : ) <li>Possibly install a different ceiling fan, perhaps the much nicer one from the kitchen area that we don’t really use? <li>ART!! <li>Maybe <em>maybe</em> if I get a wild hair (and lots of energy), put in faux beams on the vaulted ceiling.</li></ul> <p>I’ll leave you with that overload today and come back another day with some pictures that are inspiring me for this bedroom!</p> <p>Hopefully in the meantime our littlest guy will get the tooth he has been cutting with a vengeance for the past couple of weeks and return to his former happy self and let me get some sleep (and more time to blog!).&nbsp; </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-64749218482863066682014-02-07T15:22:00.001-06:002014-02-07T15:22:14.069-06:00A Smattering of Friday Thoughts<p>I just want to chat today.&nbsp; I have been unusually productive today and I’m not exactly sure why…though it is sunny and I took 4,000mg of Vitamin D so maybe that is why???&nbsp; NO idea.</p> <p>First off, I went to Target last night after my <a href="http://www.wellreadmom.com/" target="_blank">book club</a> to get a few bits and bobs, and found these in the dollar spot:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QNk57wyhM70/UvVOZ1aoofI/AAAAAAAAB1g/3_vZATyhu6Y/s1600-h/IMG_7850%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7850" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7850" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VUesxXhMbLY/UvVOamyWbII/AAAAAAAAB1o/ZqhqOASJCkw/IMG_7850_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Little wooden push pins!&nbsp; Aren’t they just darling?&nbsp; I got one little box and another of the pink flags.&nbsp; I don’t have a cork or pin board at the moment (I have one in the basement that needs some TLC before I can use it) but I knew this was something I wouldn’t easily find in the future so I grabbed them.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EgSV2n6gw2g/UvVOb6ThjvI/AAAAAAAAB1w/lYxTZ548Ctw/s1600-h/IMG_7853%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7853" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7853" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-373GVjsuNyk/UvVOcbUzhII/AAAAAAAAB14/ivQY9FRCDA4/IMG_7853_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="437"></a></p> <p>If you want them…get thee down to your Target before they’re all snatched up!</p> <p>Whenever I go to Target I keep an eye on the endcaps in the home section (and take a quick scan down the aisles for the red clearance flags) to see if there is anything good on clearance.&nbsp; I usually come up empty, but I happened to check in the bedding aisles and found a king sheet set marked down to 18.88 (from 62.99!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CtjTWxy8KvQ/UvVOdU_bmmI/AAAAAAAAB2A/OBLz9qLjNrw/s1600-h/IMG_7854%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7854" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7854" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GivohZq_5To/UvVOd1q6LgI/AAAAAAAAB2I/BjmdKk4-qhI/IMG_7854_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Now, if you have had to buy king sheets you know how expensive that can get!&nbsp; I was super excited that these were actually a print/color combo that was exactly what I had in mind for our bedroom.&nbsp; </p> <p>Here’s the tricky part—we don’t actually have a king bed—we have a <em>California</em> king bed.&nbsp; It is a long story why we have it but suffice to say we don’t have any decent sheets for it.&nbsp; Aaaand California king sheets are normally even more expensive than regular king sheets.&nbsp; They are a slightly different dimension than a regular king…4” narrower and 4” longer which, if the bed were square, would not be a big deal (you could just turn the sheet sideways).&nbsp; But, beds are not a perfect square so that doesn’t work so well.&nbsp; However, this was such a good deal, and it fit mattresses up to 18” deep, so I decided to take a chance and see if it possibly could fit our bed.&nbsp; I knew I could take it back if it didn’t fit.&nbsp; I tried it on our bed this morning and <em>it totally fits</em>!!&nbsp; I did turn the fitted sheet sideways (which doesn’t bother me in the slightest).&nbsp; I’m so excited to have nice sheets for our bed!&nbsp; I don’t know if the deep pocket made a difference or if any king sheet would work, but you can bet&nbsp; I’m not going to be looking for California king sheets again.&nbsp; </p> <p>So, on the off chance that someone reading has a Cali king bed…you can probably just go and buy regular king sheets for it!!&nbsp; </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I made <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Crumb-Muffins/Detail.aspx?evt19=1" target="_blank">this recipe for Banana Muffins</a> today and they are amazing!!&nbsp; The brown sugar mixture on top cooks to a lovely crunchy crust and it is just so yummy!&nbsp; I need to stop eating them.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MieMICCdpZA/UvVOe3-TJpI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/lYBfn8wiVKs/s1600-h/IMG_7856%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7856" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7856" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NjQSkrZIu_4/UvVOfs4dJ5I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/4fQTDwffVjs/IMG_7856_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Our oldest is quite the budding artist and she asked today if she could copy this picture:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Auguste_Renoir_-_A_Girl_with_a_Watering_Can_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg"><img alt="Auguste Renoir - A Girl with a Watering Can - Google Art Project.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Auguste_Renoir_-_A_Girl_with_a_Watering_Can_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg/280px-Auguste_Renoir_-_A_Girl_with_a_Watering_Can_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" width="280" height="384"></a></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Girl_with_a_Watering_Can" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</p> <p align="left">She came upstairs later with this little masterpiece:</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HxgHkF_QOlo/UvVOgaYG00I/AAAAAAAAB2g/9o4dao66mCM/s1600-h/IMG_7858%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7858" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7858" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wn48nAR2cKM/UvVOhDMAWZI/AAAAAAAAB2o/m2PFj0xR4QM/IMG_7858_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="480"></a></p> <p>She took a few artistic liberties but it is pretty good for a 5 year old I think!&nbsp; It certainly makes me smile, anyway.&nbsp; : )</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!&nbsp; </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-42816066119291179352014-02-06T10:39:00.001-06:002014-02-06T10:39:05.815-06:00Long Kitchen Wall—Finished!<p>(For now…)</p> <p>I finally did get to Ikea (didn’t end up going last week as there was a big snowstorm the day I was planning to go) and got the brackets, so I’m crossing this area off my list.&nbsp; I’m sure I’ll tweak it from time to time, but for now it is done.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WrC90nxCcVU/UvO6bReyQuI/AAAAAAAABzY/KoGM4hkGuc0/s1600-h/IMG_7824%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7824" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7824" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QH2NcqFoWfU/UvO6cTee6QI/AAAAAAAABzg/4lf2V2eStMQ/IMG_7824_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="638" height="480"></a></p> <p>I added the shelves to the left of the dresser and also the mounted pasta poster.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FKSl6Hq5eOg/UvO6djvysuI/AAAAAAAABzo/wdcnO-H1M9w/s1600-h/IMG_7828%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7828" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7828" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lP_DvQjPWCc/UvO6ebH9mwI/AAAAAAAABzw/z-AiXK1na5M/IMG_7828_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I bought <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/76696009/" target="_blank">these</a> brackets at Ikea and painted them white to match the pine boards I cut and painted for shelves.&nbsp; </p> <p>I think this poster is so fun!!&nbsp; I found it while we were on a little weekend trip at a place called Madison Modern Market.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pkdzA-n1A70/UvO6fay5jkI/AAAAAAAABz4/0MyPyRzAHBo/s1600-h/IMG_7837%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7837" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7837" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bn7ZTPwuhSE/UvO6gdhMf4I/AAAAAAAAB0A/PIqWIfuQKzc/IMG_7837_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>It is a Cavallini print and we are all pasta experts now:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YA19xuwNf0Y/UvO6ht6GbAI/AAAAAAAAB0I/aOrSBSUfnZs/s1600-h/IMG_7833%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7833" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7833" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k6b5cpSlvXc/UvO6iumTSII/AAAAAAAAB0Q/Aia-uehyaeg/IMG_7833_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>It has a number next to each illustration of pasta that corresponds to a name on the list.&nbsp; My husband jokes that we need to try all the different types of pasta now…but there are over 100 on here so it could take a while!!</p> <p>I mounted it with spray adhesive (I was going to use Mod Podge but I read it might bubble) onto a piece of MDF that I cut to the exact size.&nbsp; I stained the edges with walnut stain so it would tie into the other dark woods on this side of the wall, then used D-rings for hanging.&nbsp; It covers an unused and oddly positioned phone jack (shhhh!).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J_yWluNkdGs/UvO6j-6NOYI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/pUL9TAppBBM/s1600-h/IMG_7832%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7832" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7832" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Emw6gNBM8pA/UvO6ksX3b2I/AAAAAAAAB0g/nNxybYuhJfo/IMG_7832_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kUreZ3WRT1I/UvO6lPiDmLI/AAAAAAAAB0o/F_oZgkNOc5E/s1600-h/IMG_7838%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7838" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7838" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uuNPy3CCYjc/UvO6mKa9c1I/AAAAAAAAB0w/7spjS7Hv9ws/IMG_7838_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>Please excuse the drywall dust on the floor in this ^ picture.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; I was in such a hurry to take pictures I didn’t even sweep after I installed the shelves into the wall.&nbsp; </p> <p>And as always, the most fun is “styling” the shelves.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hyYjsaq471M/UvO6nNuAZxI/AAAAAAAAB00/3XR_As8Qu7I/s1600-h/IMG_7834%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7834" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7834" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZRcAkdKDfig/UvO6oDD3WKI/AAAAAAAAB1A/5b_E040LDeU/IMG_7834_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p>I’m sure I will change up the shelves often but for now they look like this!&nbsp; I gathered all the shelf stuff from around the house…love shopping the house for new arrangements!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CpE6T61-YKM/UvO6pHAiXXI/AAAAAAAAB1I/YH8S6y1VzMA/s1600-h/IMG_7831%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7831" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7831" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-50YpzEa5nDY/UvO6p5mY0YI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/VXRScHYWeTo/IMG_7831_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>All right!&nbsp; I promise I will give you a break from the kitchen area for a while.&nbsp; I have other plans for the other side of the room where all the cabinets are (which I am not going to take a picture of right now because…we <em>live</em> here and there are dirty dishes/snack supplies/art projects galore on the counters!) but that will be a bigger project and will take a while.&nbsp; Who knows when that will get started and done!</p> <p>We do have a master bedroom I am itching to do <em>somethin</em>g<em> </em>with!&nbsp; That may be next on my never-ending list!</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-48991581357393758962014-02-03T20:57:00.001-06:002014-02-03T20:57:19.757-06:00Getting Started on Garden Planning<p>As much as I enjoy making the inside of our home more personal and pretty, I’m also a little obsessed with taking that to the outside of our house too.&nbsp; At this time of the year I’m usually coming home from the library with stacks of gardening magazines and books, poring through seed catalogs, and planning the next season’s garden.&nbsp; This year is no exception—I was just at the library this morning : )</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2QAir4_Xq7U/UvBW9SP1QZI/AAAAAAAAByg/wyNwciNBK_E/s1600-h/IMG_7816%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7816" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7816" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BrnxgtIyt7Q/UvBW-lErmDI/AAAAAAAAByo/mMIFt-CsWQk/IMG_7816_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I am certainly an amateur at this…none of our gardens are professional looking by any means…but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy pottering about with a shovel and hoe and moving plants from one place to another.&nbsp; Even when I lived in an apartment I still tried to plant some pots with flowers and even once attempted a disastrous fail of a vegetable container garden.&nbsp; (Short story—everything slowly died!)&nbsp; </p> <p>Since we’re now on a property with a lot more space (and room to garden!) I no longer need to even think about relegating plants to containers (though I still do for the front steps and deck).&nbsp; I am especially excited this year because of this!&nbsp; My husband LOVES to mow so I don’t want to take over too much of the lawn (it still takes hours to mow so I don’t think there is <em>any</em> need for him to worry!).&nbsp; Still, I have all sorts of fun garden ideas.&nbsp; In the past I have taken pencil and paper and drawn a rough sketch of our gardens (at our old house) with what plants go where, and I plan to do that for our new yard too.&nbsp; The former owners passed on this map of our yard and woods that I am also planning to use.&nbsp; Isn’t it cute??</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p-eu76lic3k/UvBW_7oyndI/AAAAAAAAByw/6ym-Nl4Su0s/s1600-h/propertyscan%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="propertyscan" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="propertyscan" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c7K0_079p0M/UvBXBJAYs5I/AAAAAAAABy4/RyKSCo_r3jE/propertyscan_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="768"></a></p> <p>They named all the trails in the woods after places in the Lord of the Rings.&nbsp; (They even have markers in the woods with the trail names on them!)&nbsp; I think it is too funny.&nbsp; : )</p> <p>I’m not really all that good at drawing designs so I plan to use this heavily for my garden plans.&nbsp; ( I think I may try to make some plans in Photoshop though.)&nbsp; We have already changed some of this around, adding the gardens that are in green below.&nbsp; The biggest one is a potential vegetable garden that we tilled last fall.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ttOu0n9ijzo/UvBXCl7eKtI/AAAAAAAABzA/NOOqgS6o8DQ/s1600-h/newgardens2013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="newgardens2013" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="newgardens2013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7yOF-KNGWIg/UvBXDl-TScI/AAAAAAAABzI/CnanXQI0QR8/newgardens2013_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="480"></a></p> <p>I have grand schemes of adding a more formal garden here somewhere, perhaps in the front yard or directly behind the house.&nbsp; I don’t want it to look pretentious and silly though so perhaps a cottage type garden would be more appropriate to the house style.&nbsp; What do you think?&nbsp; Keep in mind this is the front of our house in the summer:</p> <p align="center"><img title="IMG_6474" border="0" alt="IMG_6474" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7dW3A0zTlBA/UdxmVKKg3WI/AAAAAAAAA-E/vnEJ5kDEXxE/IMG_6474_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="579" height="386"></p> <p align="left">I’m thinking a path to the front door surrounded by flower beds would be pretty, sort of like this:</p> <p align="center"><img alt="diversity of plants and flowers planted in a dramatic entry garden in front a blue house" src="http://img2-1.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/12/houses/04-blue-houses/19-blue-houses-3.jpg" width="400" height="400"></p> <p align="center">(via <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20583835,00.html" target="_blank">This Old House</a>)</p> <p>Of course, that is more ambitious than I have time and energy for, but you get the general idea!&nbsp; We’ll see how much of this possibility actually gets done.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; Right now there are two feet of snow over our whole yard so it seems very appealing to actually be able to work in the yard…not so much when it is 90 degrees outside and you’re sweating buckets.&nbsp; </p> <p>Any ideas as to what style of garden would go best with our house??&nbsp; I’m leaning towards informal cottage because that is easiest and more like what I am familiar with…but a formal style could be a fun challenge!</p> <p>Regardless…I’m busy poring over books and books filled with green stuff and dreaming of a green spring!&nbsp; </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-36984351349933557802014-01-29T21:31:00.001-06:002014-01-29T21:31:27.441-06:00The Trouble with Blank Walls<p>So…blank walls are kind of exciting.&nbsp; They are a fresh start, a space of possibilities, a blank canvas if you will.</p> <p>But they are also kind of overwhelming.&nbsp; What to fill them with?&nbsp; What proportions will look good?&nbsp; Do I even like this art?&nbsp; Does leaving it blank highlight or diminish the greasy little fingerprints over the bottom 1/3 of it?&nbsp; : ) It is especially overwhelming if it is a <em>big</em> blank wall…at least for me.&nbsp; </p> <p>I also struggle with indecision between a few different looks I like.&nbsp; Should I do this gallery wall, or those big prints, or maybe a piece of furniture here?&nbsp; I have perfectionist tendencies so it’s hard to battle those and just <em>go for</em> <em>something</em>.&nbsp; </p> <p>(You don’t want to be locked in my brain.&nbsp; It is a battleground of decorating choices, with depression glass missiles and frames tossed about like catapults.&nbsp; Yikes.)</p> <p>I was/am facing this in our kitchen/dining area.&nbsp; It is one big room with one prominent big blank wall.&nbsp; I filled part of that wall with the coffee and tea station that I go on about ad nauseum.&nbsp; ; )&nbsp; But since it was such a large wall there was a part to the left that looked pretty neglected next to it’s showy neighbor.&nbsp; </p> <p>See?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4M-vrioxIo4/UunHgiDA0dI/AAAAAAAABx4/muGsuXdO85M/s1600-h/IMG_77884.jpg"><img title="IMG_7788" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7788" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KqNjMNlpoxg/UunHhtM5V3I/AAAAAAAAByA/vluyNXSpNCc/IMG_7788_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="768"></a></p> <p align="center">(That darker spot on the wall is just a shadow from a chair…FYI.&nbsp; And…the coffee/tea area only takes up half the wall, not most of the wall the way it looks here)</p> <p align="left">Of course, there are other walls in the house that pose problems.&nbsp; One of them was the wall behind our TV that I posted about (and kind of solved) <a href="http://createdwithlove-elizabeth.blogspot.com/2013/11/tv-corner-gallery-wall.html#.UunFVznnbIU" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp; Since we moved last June I haven’t actually done much decorating on our walls besides these two locations.&nbsp; There are a lot of blank walls to fill here!&nbsp; Slowly but surely I’ll get to most of them…though I don’t necessarily think every wall needs to have something on it.&nbsp; </p> <p align="left">Back to this particular wall.&nbsp; In case it is hard to picture the layout of the room, here is a picture of the kitchen area from before we moved:</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fIw5k8fghgk/UunHirFFvXI/AAAAAAAAByI/pymIb-krFmQ/s1600-h/IMG_6365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6365" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DGoq3rjva_g/UunHjU7w6nI/AAAAAAAAByQ/LvLdFwl6WeI/IMG_6365_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p align="left">The big wall to the right is the wall I’m currently trying to figure out.&nbsp; I started doing some more on it, then I realized that I didn’t get enough shelf brackets when I was last at Ikea…bummer!!&nbsp; It will have to wait until I can get there again.&nbsp; I am hoping I can go tomorrow (and I really would LOVE to go as it is always a fun outing for the kids and I, especially so with the winter we’ve been having) but it is supposed to snow again so we’ll see if the drive is a good idea.&nbsp; There are a few other things I want to check out at Ikea so I’ve been looking for an excuse to go there again for a while.&nbsp; : )&nbsp; If I do go I’ll be showing you that project (including a fun poster I found!) sometime next week (as always around here, fingers crossed!).</p> <p align="left">So…do blank walls overwhelm you too?&nbsp; Tell me I’m not the only one!</p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951586580746370468.post-8147358338402845042014-01-27T11:32:00.001-06:002014-01-27T11:32:15.624-06:00A Case of the Mondays<p>Well…wallowing in some severe cabin fever over here…it is once again more than a few degrees below zero and the past few days have been a sleepless blur as our kids got sick yet again this winter.&nbsp; Does anyone else feel like this winter will never end???&nbsp; I am hopeful all the kids are almost back to their normal selves but I want--and yet I don’t want--to go out and about because seriously??&nbsp; It is so cold they closed school again, and we Minnesotans are tough so it has to be downright cold outside!!&nbsp; I certainly won’t be dragging our recovering toddler out in that.&nbsp; </p> <p>To keep myself sane, I brought a bunch of snow inside to our kitchen sink, dragged two kitchen chairs over, dropped some food coloring in and let the older kids at it with spoons, some sprinkles, and play dishes.&nbsp; I rarely am this fun so they were really excited about it…and I really should do things like this more often.&nbsp; It kept them occupied for over an hour which is unusual in this house!&nbsp; Plus, it was amazingly clean—always a bonus for me!!</p> <p>To get some perspective…here is the view out my kitchen window into our backyard…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tqDHCgroorw/UuaYEV-wpaI/AAAAAAAABxQ/xUV_uwfcv0Y/s1600-h/IMG_7791%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7791" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7791" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QnNH0dPuWVQ/UuaYFCJlkkI/AAAAAAAABxY/75nWhfrk_Qo/IMG_7791_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>And yes, I know it is pretty in many ways!&nbsp; But, I’m just <em>so</em> ready for it to be green again.&nbsp; </p> <p>Our driveway is surrounded by mounds of the cold stuff too:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x2t4_CpOoK0/UuaYGftOtoI/AAAAAAAABxg/kJrOIw6PL2M/s1600-h/IMG_7797%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7797" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7797" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pXMvXBXiQh0/UuaYHc2UWyI/AAAAAAAABxo/WGAPtLwmV88/IMG_7797_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>BRRRRR!&nbsp; </p> <p>I hope you’re all feeling a little warmer and pretty please, if you have any grass or temps above sub-zero, can you send them my way???&nbsp; I will be <em>so</em> grateful!!&nbsp; : ) </p> Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14901910637531435558noreply@blogger.com5